Record-breaking Ballymena Business Excellence Awards celebrate local success

Ballymena’s business community turned out in record numbers on Thursday night for the 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards, marking a landmark year for the prestigious event.

More than 480 guests packed into the Tullyglass House Hotel for the 22nd annual gala, which saw a record number of entries — including 37 businesses entering for the first time.

Organised by the Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the awards were once again sponsored by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Hosted by Cool FM’s Pete Snodden, the glittering evening celebrated innovation, entrepreneurship and community spirit across Ballymena’s thriving business landscape.

‘A Healthy and Vibrant Business Community’

(L-R) Ryan Wiggins, Casey Martin, Hannah Wiggins, Mark Wiggins, President Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Adrienne Wiggins and Tom Wiggins, Chief Executive Ballymena Chambert of Commerce and Industry

Opening the event, Chamber President Mark Wiggins praised the strength and resilience of Ballymena’s business community.

“Tonight is about celebrating the success of the Ballymena Business Community focusing on the huge contribution made by local businesses and to highlight the commitment made by so many individuals,” he said.

“We are extremely proud of the fact that over 480 representatives from local businesses are here tonight to prove that business in the Ballymena area is healthy and vibrant and that we are one of the centres of entrepreneurial excellence within the Northern Irish business community. Tonight is without question one of the biggest business events in Northern Ireland.”

Mr Wiggins also expressed his gratitude to all sponsors, in particular Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, and thanked everyone involved in organising the awards — including Barbara and Russell Campbell, The Tullyglass House Hotel, Festival Productions, and the Chamber’s team led by Chief Executive Tom Wiggins.

Council Praises Local Innovation and Growth

F/Row – Miss Casey Martin, Mrs Allison Minford Mayoress, Councillor Jackson Minford, Mayor Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Hannah Wiggins, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Interim Chief Executive Valerie Watts and Mrs Adrienne Wiggins,

Back row – Ryan Wiggins, Pete Snodden, Mark Wiggins, President Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Rory Watts and Tom Wiggins, Chief Executive Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, commended the event as a highlight of the local business calendar.

“Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is proud to continue its role as the main event sponsor for what is undoubtedly a highlight in the local business calendar,” he said.

“We remain committed to working together with the Chamber and our local entrepreneurs to ensure that Ballymena remains a successful place to do business, whilst also providing opportunities and support for future growth and prosperity.”

The Mayor also highlighted the council’s progress on local regeneration projects, including the St Patrick’s Barracks development, before congratulating all finalists and winners.

“Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners, and to the organisers of the awards, which are a fitting recognition of the innovation, commitment and resilience of our brilliant local business community.”

Supporting Local Charities

Muriel Barr, Kathleen Anderson and Elaine McBride from the Ballymena Hospice Support Group accepting a cheque for £20,000 from Mark Wiggins, President of Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry accompanied by Pete Snodden and Tom Wiggins, Chief Executive Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The funds were raised at Chamber’s 5th Annual Charity Golf Day held at Galgorm Castle Golf Club, earlier in the year.

A key highlight of the night was the presentation of a £20,000 cheque to the NI Children’s Hospice, raised through the Chamber’s 5th Annual Charity Golf Day. This brings the Chamber’s total charitable fundraising over the past five years to an impressive £100,000.

Chief Executive Tom Wiggins said the Chamber was “immensely proud” to support such causes and announced two special awards sponsored by the Chamber itself.

The ‘Services to the Community Award’ went to Isobel Kerr, Manager of Restore Ballymena, recognised for her “leadership, vision and compassion” in transforming lives locally.

The ‘Special Recognition Award’ was presented to Muriel Barr, who has led the Ballymena Hospice Support Group since 2008, helping raise over £2 million for the NI Hospice and Children’s Hospice.

Presenter Pete Snodden described her as:

“A woman who is driven, hopeful and compassionate, giving up her time freely to help others in real need – a truly remarkable lady.”

A charity raffle held during the evening raised an additional £2,710 for the NI Hospice and Children’s Hospice, with prizes donated by The Galgorm Hotel, Ballymena BID, Shot, and Galgorm Melts.

Celebrating Local Excellence

The awards spanned a wide range of categories, celebrating achievements in business growth, innovation, community engagement, sustainability, and customer service.

Wrightbus claimed the Sustainability Award, The Adair Arms Hotel was named Right Place to Work, and BH McKeague Optometrist took home Family Business of the Year.

Callum Irwin, of Cooked by Callum, received Best Young Person in Business, while Galgorm scooped the Diversity and Inclusion Award.

Among the many winners were:

• The JAQ Group – Business Growth Award

• Galgorm Melts – Best Innovative Small Business

• MB Motors – Team of the Year

• The Dogs Inn – Most Promising New Business

• Travelmax – Best Use of Digital Media

• Duality Healthcare – Customer Service (Service Sector)

• Good Morning Ballymena – Social Enterprise of the Year

• Create and Conquer – Customer Service (Retail)

• Shot – Customer Service (Hospitality)

• Gatto’s Ristorante and The Thatch Inn – Best Restaurant Award

The evening concluded with live entertainment from New Light, rounding off what organisers described as a “record-breaking celebration of Ballymena’s business brilliance”.

Full List of Winners and Highly Commended

•  Business Growth Award

WINNER: The JAQ Group

Dianne Murphy (left) and Penny Martin (right) of the JAQ Group, receive the Business Growth Award from Joanne Earlay of category sponsors AIB.

•  Best Innovative Small Business

WINNER: Galgorm Melts

Lucinda Graham of Galgorm Melts receives the Best Innovative Small Business Award from Noel Mulholland of category sponsors Michelin Development Ltd

•  Team of the Year

WINNER: MB Motors

Malcolm Beattie (Left) and Stephen Hughes of MB Motors receive the Team of the year Award from Celine Watson of category sponsors Clarke.

Highly Commended: Dougies Goodies

Johnny Hunter of Dougies Goodies who were Highly Commended in the Team of the Year category.

•  Most Promising New Business

WINNER: The Dogs Inn

Eileen (left) and Clare Taylor (right) of the Dogs Inn who received the Most Promising New Business Award from Genna McGilton of category sponsor Bank of Ireland

•  Best Use of Digital Media

WINNER: Travelmax

Savannah Bracewell of Travelmax receives the Best Use of Digital Media Award from James Scullion of category sponsors Rapid Agency.

Highly Commended: Gibson Paving

Sharon and Alen Gibson of Gibson Paving who were Highly Commended for Best Use of Digital Media

•  Customer Service/Service Sector

WINNER: Duality Healthcare

Joanne Green (left) and Blathnaid Carlin of Duality Healthcare receive the Customer Service Award, Service Sector, from Gary Thompson of category sponsors Riada Resourcing

Highly Commended: JTEC IT

Jeremy Bryan and Jack Eccles of jtec it who received a Highly Commended Award in the Customer Service Service Sector category

Highly Commended: McCarroll and McConnell

Andy Lyons and Beth Wharry of McCarroll and McConnell who received a Highly Commended award in the Customer Service, Service Sector category.

•  Employee of the Year

WINNER: Tara Cupples (We Are Waymaker)

David Murdock of category sponsors Wright presents the Employee of the year award to Tara Cupples of We Are Waymaker

Highly Commended: Courtney McAllister (Habitat ReStore)

Courtney McAllister of Habitat Restore who was Highly Commended in the Employee of the Year Award

Highly Commended: Helena McDonnell (Neo Environmental)

Helena McDonnell of Neo Environmental who was Highly Commended in the Employee of the Year category.

•  Right Place to Work

WINNER: The Adair Arms Hotel

Iris Houston (left) of the Adair Arms Hotel receives the Right Place to Work Award from Laura Millar of category sponsors Galgorm.

•  Family Business of the Year

WINNER: BH McKeague Optometrist

Claire King of BH McKeague Optometrist receives the Family Business of the Year award from Peter Houston of category sponsors Danske Bank.

•  Sustainability Award

WINNER: Wrightbus

Laura Hughes of category sponsors Power NI presents the Sustainability Award to Chris McBurney of Wrightbus

Highly Commended: Norbev

Kathy Barnes and Peter Taylor of Norbev with their Highly Commended Sustainabilty Award

•  Involvement in the Community

WINNER: Spar Broughshane

John Brady of category sponsors Cranswick presents the Involvement in the Community Award to Albert Beatty and Emma Irwin of Spar, Broughshane

•  Diversity and Inclusion Award

WINNER: Galgorm

Laura Millar of Galgorm receives the Diversion and Inclusion Award from Jonathan Olphert of Robinsons Supermarkets

Highly Commended: McDonalds Ballymena

Christine Orr and Andrew Dunkin of McDonalds with the Diversity and Inclusion Highly Commended Award.

•  Best Young Person in Business

WINNER: Callum Irwin (Cooked by Callum)

Callum Irwin of Cooked by Callum receives the Best Young Person in Business award from Valerie McLernon of category sponsor Fairhill

•  Skills Development Award

WINNER: Pilgrims Europe

Alan McCallion and Jennifer McDermott of Pilgrims Europe who received the Skills Development Award from Ian Paisley representing Gallaher

•  Business Premises Award

WINNER: Eurospar Doury Road

Jessica Allen of category sponsors Country Gallage BMW presents the Best Premises Award to David McFall and James Donnelly of Eurospar, Doury Road

•  Social Enterprise of the Year

WINNER: Good Morning Ballymena

James Perry of category sponsors Ballymena Business Centre presents the Social Enterprise of the Year Award to Joy Knox of Good Morning Ballymena.

•  Customer Service Award – Retail

WINNER: Create and Conquer

Carol Wilson (left) presents the Customer Service Award, Retail Sector, on behalf of sponsor Karen Cherry to Pamela Gourley of Create and Conquer

Highly Commended: Country Garage BMW

William Walker of Country Garage who were Highly Commended in Customer Service Award - Retail Sector

Highly Commended: River Island

Stephanie Moore and Lorraine Creith of River Island with the Highly Commended Award in the Customer Service Retail Sector

•  Customer Service Award – Hospitality

WINNER: Shot

Danielle Dunbar of Category sponsors Kinecx presents the Customer Service Award, Hospitality Sector, to Bethany Christie, Alessandro McDowell, Chloe Parker, Khim Candelario & Mark Stevenson of Shot

Highly Commended: Rococo

Suzie Hanley & Christina Adascalitei of Rococo who were Highly Commended in the Customer Service Award, Hospitality Sector

•  Best Restaurant Award

WINNER: Gatto’s Ristorante

Frank Reid (centre) of category sponsors Pilgrims Europe, presents the Best Restaurant Award to George Vasilis and Bryan Baev of joint winners Gatto's Ristorante

WINNER: The Thatch Inn

Frank Reid of category sponsors Pilgrims Europe, presents the Best Restaurant Award to Alison McCombe of joint winners The Thatch Inn, Broughshane.

•  Services to the Community

WINNER: Isobel Kerr (Habitat Restore Ballymena)

Isobel Kerr receives the Services to the Community Award from Hannah and Mark Wiggins, chairman of the Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce.

•  Special Recognition Award

WINNER: Muriel Barr (Ballymena NI Hospice Support Group)

Muriel Barr of the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice receives the Special Recognition Award from Tom Wiggins, Chairman of the the Ballymena Chamber of Commerce and Mark Wiggins, President

•  Commitment to Ballymena

WINNER: Colin Johnston (Galgorm)

Councillor Jackson Minford, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council presents the Commitment to Ballymena Award to Colin Johnston of Galgorm

These awards not only recognise individual achievements but also highlight Ballymena’s position as a hub of entrepreneurial excellence in Northern Ireland, fostering growth, sustainability, and community engagement for years to come.