UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School has announced the shortlist for its 2019 Business Journalist Awards scheme. The awards, now in their 13th 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 1,300 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, 2nd December, with each category winner receiving a €1,000 cash prize.

A total of 17 journalists in the six categories have been shortlisted as follows:

Category A: Business News Story of the Year

Category B: Economic Commentator/Business Analyst of the Year

Category C: Business Feature of the Year

Category D: Specialist Business Reporter of the Year

Category E: Business Interview of the Year

Category F: Upcoming Journalist

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; Charlie Weston; Ingrid Miley along with last year’s recipient, Tony Connelly of RTE.

This year’s independent panel of judges includes academic, journalistic and business representatives chaired by Breege O’Donoghue, Chair of Design and Craft Council of Ireland, Chair of Real World Analytics & Former Board Member at Primark; Jim Aughney, media and financial consultant; Alison Cowzer, Co-founder of East Coast Bakehouse; Professor Gerardine Doyle, Director UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and Associate Dean, UCD College of Business; Professor John Geary, Professor of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, UCD College of Business; Professor Susi Geiger, Professor of Marketing, UCD College of Business; Jerry Liston, former Chairman of UCD Smurfit School, BWG Group, Kevin Broderick Ltd., Balcas Timber Ltd and former Board Member of Glanbia plc.; Gary McCann, Gary McGann Chairman of Flutter Entertainment and Aryzta, and former CEO of Smurfit Kappa and Aer Lingus. Anne Nolan, Board Member, Cricket Ireland & Advisory Board Member, Irish US Council; Jane O’Sullivan, writer and journalist; Aileen O’Toole, Co-founder of The Sunday Business Post, a Digital Strategist and a Chartered Director, whose board roles include the Governing Body of the Technological University Dublin; Anton Savage, Broadcaster and Director of the Communications Clinic; and Professor Karan Sonpar, Professor of Management, UCD College of Business.