Meet THE judges.

Lord Mayor CLlR Deirdre Forde

Lord Mayor Councillor Deirdre Forde has represented the Cork City South East Ward since her election to Cork City Council in 2019, and prior to the Cork City boundary extension that year, was an Elected Member of Cork County Council from 1999.

She has been a member of the European Committee of the Regions from 2016 to date, she is a member of the Southern Regional Assembly and has been a member of UCC's Governing Body.

She has two sons, Jonathan and Darren, a daughter Susie, and five grandchildren Freddie, Rory, MacDaragh, Sage and Bodhi.

President of CBA Kevin Herlihy

Kevin started his career in the hospitality sector graduating from The Galway Mayo institute of Technology. Having spent a few years in France, he returned to Ireland and joined the Family Business.

The Herlihy Centra Group was founded in 1980 by Kevin's father, the late Pat Herlihy with one store and two staff. It has since grown to Seven Centra Stores throughout Cork City and County employing over 300 people and is run on a daily hands-on basis by Kevin and his brother Brian.

Kevin is avid rugby supporter and enjoys spending his spare time in his beloved Ballybunion Co Kerry.

Dr. Niall O’Keeffe

Dr Niall O’Keeffe is Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Cork City Council.

Niall has over 12 years of CEO experience across a range of sectors including four years as the Chief Executive for Economic Development on the island of St Helena. he has developed award winning organisations and led significant change management programmes.

With a Doctorate in Business Administration (Business Economics) and an MBA from University College Cork, Niall continues to seek out best practice in organisational development.

His interests include entrepreneurship, music, film and sport.

Martin O’Brien

Martin O’Brien is a Director of JCD Group, one of Ireland’s leading commercial property development companies. Headquartered in Cork, JCD have completed over 1.6 million sq.ft of Grade A Office, Industrial/Logistics, Healthcare, Retail and Data Centre property where over 4,500 people are employed by both national and multinational companies.

As one of the most active property developers in Cork over recent years, JCD have completed a number of city centre projects in Cork including the development of One Albert Quay, The Capitol, 85 South Mall and most recently Penrose Dock. They have also completed the Citygate Developments in Mahon and Northpoint Business Park and are currently developing Blarney Business Park on the northside of Cork.

Niamh Skally

Niamh is Marketing Manager for Centra, leading a dynamic team responsible for marketing Ireland’s number one convenience brand with over 480 stores nationwide.

Today, Centra continues to enjoy commercial and brand success by consistently outperforming the convenience market whilst evolving to meet the changing needs of the Irish shopper.

Niamh brings extensive experience to the table, having worked for 20 years on world class, international and domestic brands in Musgrave, Pernod Ricard and Amex.

Eddie Harty

Eddie is a Regional Sales Manager for Peninsula Ireland covering the ROI with 11 Business Consultants supporting all businesses across Leinster & Munster. Peninsula support over 7,000 business across Ireland. His career has always been in sales with previous roles in both domestic and international roles with Global Organisations.

HR and health & safety consultant Peninsula is delighted to be a partner of the CBA Cork Business of the Year Awards 2023.

Deirdre Cole

Deirdre is Fáilte Ireland’s representative, working on the Ireland’s Ancient Team, in Cork City.

Deirdre has gained a wealth of experience, working in Ireland and abroad in business development, destination development and stakeholder engagement. Her focus is now centred on Cork City, working with stakeholders and businesses to deliver the five-year destination and experience development plan for Cork City and East Cork.

 Deirdre has a keen interest in sustainability and often opts for the two-wheeled commute.

Alan Healy

Alan Healy has worked as a journalist for almost 20 years with a range of news media outlets including the Western People and The Kingdom regional titles before becoming a senior reporter and deputy News Editor of The Echo.

He joined the Irish Examiner in January 2020 as the editor of the newly formed Munster Business Hub which covers property, home, farming and Munster business content.