AWARDS
Viscount Awards: Rewarding export experts
T
he Northern Ireland economy’s future depends on export. Our domestic market is not sufficiently large to allow us to meet our own ambitious growth targets and only by selling our goods and services outside the region will businesses be able to grow exponentially. That’s why the Aer Lingus Viscount Awards, in association with Ulster Business, are focused on rewarding the most innovative, progressive and exciting companies in Northern Ireland, particularly exporters. Given their performance over the last year, that’s not an easy task with a plethora of companies in the running for the top prizes. They’ve been part of the army of businesses which have helped push manufacturing exports from Northern Ireland – including to Great Britain – increase to £14.3m by a staggering £733m in the 2013/2014 year compared to the previous period, according to latest government statistics (anecdotally, service sector exports have increased in tandem but a lack of up-todate data makes that hard to tie down). The agency charged with boosting Northern Ireland’s exporting prowess even more is under no illusion as to its importance. “If we want to rebalance the economy we need to look at markets outside Northern Ireland,” Jeremy Fitch, Managing Director of Clients Group and Business International at Invest Northern Ireland. “External sales are vital to grow the economy.” But Mr Fitch, who is one of the judges in the Viscount Awards, said “exports in isolation aren’t enough. We need to make sure our exports are value added,” he said, pointing out that external sales
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Andrea Hunter, Business Development Manager for Aer Lingus, and David Elliott, Ulster Business editor, at the Members’ Dining Room at the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
made up mostly of imported raw material won’t maximise benefit for the economy. Rather, he said a focus on exporting goods and services which are developed, manufactured, grown or otherwise sourced from Northern Ireland is key. He said the Viscount Awards are an ideal way to highlight the positive work which companies in Northern Ireland are doing when it comes to export. Colin Walsh, chair of the CBI and chief executive of venture capital company Crescent Capital agreed that export is key. “We’re doing very well in a number of sectors but one of the areas where we underperform is the volume of exports,” Colin told Ulster Business.
reaching all four corners of the globe, and we need to shine a light on those innovators to encourage others to join the exporting elite. The Viscount Awards are the ideal opportunity to do just that.” Judged by a panel of esteemed business figures, the awards have grown to become one of the premier events on the professional calendar, with entries coming in from the most dynamic and innovative companies in the country. Viscount Award winners come from a variety of sectors, but they have one thing in common; they are all truly excellent at what they do.
More details on each category can be found at www.viscountawards.ulsterbusiness.com
“But there are distinguished exceptions, Northern Ireland companies which are
and all entries must be received no later than Thursday 12th March at 5pm.