Deloitte has launched the 2026 Best Managed Companies Awards and is calling for ambitious Irish and Northern Irish companies across all sectors to enter this year’s programme.
The programme celebrates the hard work, innovation, and success of Irish businesses and their management teams. Ireland’s Best Managed Companies network currently comprises 115 companies from a variety of sectors, across the island. These businesses have a combined turnover of €22 billion and provide over 62,000 jobs across a range of sectors – from retail and hospitality to manufacturing and construction.
Speaking about this year’s programme Brian Murphy, Lead Partner for the Ireland’s Best Managed Companies Awards Programme at Deloitte said:
“The Best Managed Companies programme represents a distinctive platform for organisations to evaluate and compare themselves against the best in Ireland. It also offers a collaborative and engaged network where leaders are keen to share insights, support their peers and strengthen ‘Ireland Inc’ as a collective.
“Ireland's Best Managed Companies have repeatedly demonstrated remarkable flexibility, resilience, and the capability to thrive amid global business volatility and uncertainty; and above all they demonstrate exceptional self-awareness, seeking out that impartial look at their business and the expertise they need in order to scale.
“Deloitte is committed to providing strategic coaching that will ensure Irish companies to maintain their competitive edge, and we encourage ambitious organisations that have forward-thinking leadership, solid governance and fantastic team cultures to apply today.”
This year will mark the third year of AIB’s involvement in the programme as lead sponsor.
Cathy Bryce, Managing Director of Capital Markets, AIB said:
“AIB is delighted to be involved in a programme which has consistently shone a spotlight on business leaders across the island who drive real innovation and growth in Irish enterprise. What really resonates with us, is how closely the Programme's values mirror our own values in AIB —particularly around putting the customer first; greening our business, and eliminating complexity; and also building genuine, mutually beneficial partnerships with the communities we operate in.
“The application process itself is invaluable, as it gives companies a chance to examine themselves from every angle: how they're performing, the way they manage their business, and how they chart a course for the future. It's the kind of honest self-assessment that every organisation should do.”
Last year’s programme saw eight newly qualified companies enter including Actavo Group, Dixon International Logistics, Kirby Group Engineering, Marcon Fit Out, Nostra Technologies, Ohk Energy, Specialist Group, Suir Engineering.
The programme also boasts an independent, multi-disciplinary judging panel, Chaired by Frank Ryan (Former CEO, Enterprise Ireland, Former Chair of IDA Ireland), Ellvena Graham OBE (Chair of Tourism NI), Lionel Alexander (Chair of Intact Software), Feargal Mooney (formerly Hostelworld), Cathy Bryce (Managing Director of Capital Markets, AIB) Professor Anthony Brabazon, (Dean, UCD Michael Smurfit Business School), Orla O’Gorman (NED & former Head of Listing, Euronext), and Sarah Murphy (CEO, Business Post).
For further information and details on how to enter the awards, visit www.deloitte.ie/bestmanaged. The closing date for Phase 1 entries is Friday, 3rd April. Companies that progress to Phase 2 of the application process will be notified in April, with the winners to be officially announced at the annual Gala Awards February 2027.
