CARELON Global Solutions was named Overall Company of the Year at last Friday’s Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards, which were attended by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
Carelon are a US multi-national health-tech company established just two years ago in Limerick with an initial 60 employed at the firm, but has already hired 230 people drawn from 32 different nationalities.
The President’s Award went to John Kiely, Limerick’s senior hurling manager who has led the team to an historic four All-Ireland Hurling titles in a row .
Eight other Mid West businesses were honoured on the night, with Best Emerging Business going to Mavarick, who are fresh off the back of having won the InterTradeIreland Seedcorn competition earlier this month.
Best SME went to the Mater Private Network, with the Innovation Excellence award going to ACI Worldwide.
H&MV Engineering took the award for Best ESG Business: Environment Impact Award, while the best Not-for-Profit award went to Limerick City-based Novas.
Carelon Global Solutions took home a second award on the night, winning the title of Best Employer/Employee Value Proposition Award, with Best Excellence in Customer Experience Award – Retail and Hospitality going to No 1 Pery Square.
The Best Overall Contribution to the Community Award went to Cook Medical, who host the Cook Medical Mini Marathon in Limerick every year.
In her president’s address, Limerick Chamber President Miriam O’Connor said that Ireland’s credibility has been risked by planning and policy contradictions, making reference to An Bord Pleanala’s refusal for planning permission for an LNG plant on the Shannon Estuary while the Government makes plans to build a new floating LNG storage facility.
“The decision of An Bord Pleanala to refuse planning permission for the power station and LNG terminal at Ballylongford was a further blow to the region. This decision cost New Fortness Energy 15 years, and, in the private sector, delay equals cost. We must, urgently review the current planning system and provide minimum statutory timelines for responses to support investment decisions,” Ms O’Connor said.
“And we cannot ignore the Energy Security Strategy published by Government this week, which now confirms that the state will build a new floating LNG storage facility, as a strategic emergency reserve, two months after NFE were refused their planning permission.”
The annual Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards, which highlight the best and brightest in business and innovation across the Mid West, was held at Limerick Strand Hotel.
