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Now in its 18th year, the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School Business Journalist Awards open for submissions today, shining a spotlight on the essential role business journalists play in making complex issues clear, holding power to account, and helping society navigate an ever-changing economic landscape. 

The Awards are sponsored by Bank of Ireland, and run in association with the Business Journalist Association of Ireland, to celebrate excellence in Irish business journalism across print, audio, online and broadcast media.

Speaking at the launch, Damien Garvey, Head of Group External Communications and Public Affairs, Bank of Ireland, said: “We are proud to sponsor the UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards. In today's often crowded, competitive and combative external landscape, the role of media in sifting for facts - and in helping us all separate signals from noise - has never been more important.”

Professor Federica Pazzaglia, Director of UCD Smurfit School and Associate Dean of UCD College of Business said: "In a time of rapid technological change, economic and political uncertainty, and increasing expectations around the role of business in society, the importance of business journalism has never been greater.

Trusted, independent reporting not only informs public debate but also holds decision-makers to account, helping businesses and communities alike to thrive on a foundation of transparency and trust. 

At UCD Smurfit School, we are proud to host the 18th annual Business Journalist Awards, which celebrate those who illuminate the complexities of business with clarity, rigour and insight. These awards remind us that strong business journalism is not only about interpreting markets, policies and corporate performance, but also about shaping a more informed society.”

Entries to the awards can be submitted by nominees themselves, editors or peers via smurfitschool.ie/bja by Wednesday, 3 September 2025.

The winning entry of each category will be honoured at an awards ceremony in December and receive a €1,000 prize. There are seven categories in this year’s awards:

• Business News Story of the Year
• Business Podcast / Audio Story of the Year
• Business Feature of the Year
• Business Analyst of the Year
• Business Interview of the Year
• Women in Business Journalism Award
• Upcoming Journalist of the Year

In addition to these entry-based categories, the judging panel may also award an Outstanding Achievement Award.

Each entry is examined by an independent panel of judges, composed of leaders from academia, journalism and business. The 2025 judging panel includes:

• Nóirín O'Sullivan (Chairperson), Former Garda Commissioner, NED, Independent Advisor & Consultant;
• Ruth Baldwin, Safety Approvals Manager, Irish Rail, UCD Smurfit School Executive MBA alumnus 2024;
• John Bohill, Partner at StepStone Group;
• Carin Bryans, NED and former J.P. Morgan Country Head;
• Assistant Professor Mark Connor, Assistant Professor in Business Analytics / Management Information Systems, UCD College of Business;
• Michael Cullen, Independent NED Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland Ltd.;
• Niamh Hennessy, Columnist, former business journalist and PR consultant;
• Dearbhail McDonald, Award-winning journalist, author and television documentary maker;
• Dr Emmet Oliver, Former Business Editor, UCD Quinn School Lecturer and Broadcaster;
• Professor Joe Peppard, Academic Director, UCD Smurfit Executive Development;
• Associate Professor Alessia Paccagnini, Associate Professor in Banking and Finance, Academic Director of the MSc in Quantitative Finance Programme, UCD College of Business;
• Professor Federica Pazzaglia, Director of UCD Smurfit School and Associate Dean of UCD College of Business; and
• Anton Savage, Radio and Television Presenter and Founding Director of the Communications Clinic.

Winners from 2024 included: Business News Story of the Year – Charlie Weston, Irish Independent; Audio Story of the Year – Conall Ó Móráin, The Media Group; Business Feature of the Year – Jon Ihle, The Sunday Times, Ireland; Business Analyst of the Year - Eoin Burke-Kennedy, The Irish Times; Business Interview of the Year – Thomas Hubert, The Currency; Women in Business Journalism Award – Catherine Sanz, Business Post; and Upcoming Journalist of the Year – Emer Walsh, Irish Examiner. The Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Brian Carey of The Sunday Times, Ireland.