UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School has announced the shortlist for its 2018 Business Journalist Awards scheme. The awards, now in their 12^th year, are run in conjunction with the Business Journalist Association of Ireland (BJAI) and are sponsored by Bank of Ireland. The awards scheme honours excellence in Irish business journalism across the media spectrum, with entries submitted by nominees themselves or on behalf of journalists by their editors or peers. The awards are adjudicated by an independent panel of judges comprising business, journalism and academic leaders.

Since its launch in 2007, the UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards scheme has received over 1,200 entries from business journalists across print, broadcast and online media outlets in Ireland. The winner of each category will be announced at a gala luncheon awards ceremony at The Westbury Hotel on Monday, 3^rd December, with each category winner receiving a €1,000 cash prize.

A total of 19 journalists in the six categories have been shortlisted as follows:

In addition to the six categories listed above, an Outstanding Achievement Award will also be presented at the awards ceremony. This honorary award recognises a journalist who, throughout their career, has helped to enhance the understanding of business in Ireland and inspired others. The previous winners of this award are: Frank Fitzgibbon; Brendan Keenan; Damien Kiberd; Cliff Taylor; Richard Curran; Matt Cooper; and Charlie Weston along with last year’s recipient, Ingrid Miley of RTE.

This year’s independent panel of judges includes academic, journalistic and business representatives chaired by Breege O’Donoghue, Non-Executive Director, C&C Group plc and former Executive Director at Penneys/Primark. The other judges are: Jim Aughney, media and financial consultant; Patrick Blayney, Chairman, Aviation Leasing, Finance and Law, UCD; Pat Costello, former CEO of Chartered Accountants Ireland; Aidan Cotter, Chairman, Slaney Foods and former Chief Executive of Bord Bia; Alison Cowzer, Co-founder of East Coast Bakehouse; Professor Gerardine Doyle, Associate Dean & Director of UCD Smurfit School; Vivienne Jupp, formerly of Accenture and Chair of CIE; Professor Mary Lambkin, Professor of Marketing UCD College of Business; Jerry Liston, former Chairman of UCD Smurfit School; Aileen O’Toole, co-founder of The Sunday Business Post and Non-Executive Director; and Rodney Rice, retired broadcaster, RTÉ.