Eight new businesses awarded the Ireland’s Best Managed Companies accolade

Eight new businesses have been awarded the Ireland’s Best Managed Companies (BMC) accolade at the 17^th annual awards programme. This year, Deloitte recognised 115 indigenous companies at the awards, representing 25 of the 32 counties across the island of Ireland.

The network of companies has a combined turnover of more than €22 billion and provide employment to over 62,000 people across a range of sectors from technology and healthcare to construction.

A thorough judging process precedes the recognition each year, evaluating the entire management team and the business strategy of each company. The judges examine a wide range of areas when assessing Ireland’s top privately-owned businesses, considering each business’ strategic planning, governance standards, financial performance, in addition to each organisation’s culture, talent strategy and how they are innovating year on year.

The eight newly qualified companies are: Actavo Group, Dixon International Logistics, Kirby Group Engineering, Marcon Fit-Out, Nostra Technologies, Ohk Energy, Specialist Group and Suir Engineering.

Brian Murphy, Lead Partner for Ireland’s Best Managed Companies Awards Programme, said:

“Congratulations to all winning companies on their achievement. Irish indigenous businesses continue to impress, demonstrating unwavering resilience and commitment to excellence in an everchanging economic landscape. The Ireland’s Best Managed Companies programme recognises the significant contribution that these businesses make to our economy, our communities and our nation as a whole. As a vital part of our business ecosystem, it is essential that they are supported to grow and scale into the future, and the Best Managed programme hopes to support them as they do.

Glenn Shanley, Head of AIB Corporate Banking, said: 

“Ireland’s Best Managed Companies is a showcase of what we see daily in AIB – the incredible strength, ambition and resilience of our indigenous companies. The process is a celebration of strong management teams and the energy they bring to the business world. We can see many shared traits in the 2025 winners – for instance, a willingness to face challenges head on and turn them into opportunities, embedding sustainability as a priority, and creating a culture in which people are comfortable with sharing opinions and challenging each other. Congratulations to all winners, I wish them every success in the coming year.”

A total of 107 companies requalified as a Best Managed Company. Eight of these achieved Gold Standard (four years as a BMC), six achieved Platinum Standard (seven years as a BMC). Many companies reapply and successfully requalify for the programme year on year, with some like Ergo and Portview winning the ‘Best Managed’ accolade for 15 years running.

This year’s Family Business Award winner was awarded to JJ Rhatigan & Co. The Family Business Award is a separate individual award category honouring a family business within the network that has stood out in how they have demonstrated resilience throughout their years in business.

The Best Managed Companies programme is currently run in over 45 countries including China, The US, Southeast Asia, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Türkiye, Mexico, Chile, and launched this year in the UK.

The members of this year’s judging panel were:

• Frank Ryan, former Chairman of the Board of IDA Ireland and Chair of BMC judging panel
• Glenn Shanley, Head of AIB Corporate Banking
• Ellvena Graham OBE, Non-Executive Director & Chair of Tourism Northern Ireland
• Feargal Mooney, Non-Executive Director and former CEO of Hostelworld 
• Lionel Alexander, Chair Intact Software and Non-Executive Director
• Orla O’Gorman, Non-Executive Director and former Head of Listing at Euronext
• Professor Anthony Brabazon, Dean of UCD Michael Smurfit Business School
• Sarah Murphy, CEO of Business Post 

New Winners

The Gold Standard (four years as a Best Managed Company) winners are:

The Platinum Winners (seven years as a Best Managed Company) are: