The organisation or person regardless of gender, that has gone out of its/her/his way to support the cause of getting more female representation in senior levels and stamping out barriers to growth for women in financial services.

WINNER: Andrew Keating – Bank of Ireland Group 
The judges unanimously felt Andrews’ commitment to gender diversity was worthy of recognition.  He has driven big changes which have been comprehensively implemented and has had a big impact on the business. The judges particularly noted his progressive maternity charter.  They also highly commended Vicky Davies from Danske Bank.

FINALISTS

Yvonne Connolly – Carne Group
Vicky Davies – Dankse Bank
Ian Headon – Northern Trust
Andrew Keating – Bank of Ireland Group 

This category celebrates the individual who has achieved a long-term impact on the way people and organisations think about and practice gender diversity. The Ambassador of the Year will be a prominent person in business and/or financial services who publicly champions gender parity in the sector. The Ambassador of the Year is ambitious, bold, daring, charismatic, and unabashedly dedicated towards encouraging women in the sector to grow.

WINNER: Carol Andrews – BNY Mellon
Carol’s outstanding track record of inclusiveness stood out, she impressed with her level of commitment, as a co-founder of the 30% club. The judges also acknowledged her involvement with diversity initiatives outside of her day job.

FINALISTS

Carol Andrews – BNY Mellon
Yvonne Connolly – Carne Group 
Andrea Dermody – State Street International (Ireland) Ltd
Geraldine Gibson – AQMetrics
Ciara Houlihan – HSBC 
Francesca McDonagh – Bank of Ireland Group
Melíosa O’Caoimh – Northern Trust 
Claire Savage – AQ Metrics 

This award recognises the highest-achieving women in the male-dominated banking sector.

WINNER: Vicky Davies – Danske Bank
Known as the driving force behind Danske Bank’s success in Northern Ireland. Vicky is ambitious and her drive has broken down barriers in the business. Her leadership skills were admired by the judges.

FINALISTS

Vicky Davies – Danske Bank
Dara Deering – KBC Bank Ireland
Catherine Duffy – Northern Trust 
Petra Lahtinen-Kalsi – Citi
Aine McCleary – Bank of Ireland Group 
Kimberley Russell – Bank of Ireland

This award is open to chief financial officers who have proven to be strategic visionaries for the business.

WINNER: Ruth Fletcher – CurrencyFair
The judges were impressed by the strategy behind Ruth’s hiring and retention of staff. Her wide-ranging resumé as a senior exec at 3 seperate companies, together with her involvement in 3 funding initiatives, made her a deserved winner.

FINALISTS

Ruth Fletcher – CurrencyFair
Rachel Izzard – Aer Lingus 
Elizabeth Lavin – Each and Other Limited 
Angela Noon – Siemens
Wendy Smith – Kellogg 

This award recognises those companies that have proactively cultivated an inclusive and diverse workforce, working towards improved gender representation at all levels.

WINNER: AIB Bank
The sheer breadth and detail of AIB Groups’ inclusion and diversity programme – known as iMatter – achieved unanimous acclaim from the judges.  The AIB team have ensured that these objectives are firmly embedded in every decision throughout the business.

FINALISTS

AIB Bank
AQ Metrics
Deloitte 
Fidelity International 
Northern Trust
Robert Walters 

This award recognizes the standout financial adviser/wealth manager who has achieved outstanding returns whilst championing financial inclusivity.

WINNER: Anya Cummins – Deloitte
The judges felt that Anya’s reputation in her field, together with her work as lead financial advisor on a number of high-profile landmark transactions made her the clear winner. The judges also highly commended Michelle O’Keeffe of Goodbody Asset Management

FINALISTS 

Anya Cummins – Deloitte
Marah Curtin – Davy Group 
Michelle O’Keeffe – Goodbody 
Nessa O’Riordan – AIB 

The judges will consider senior women in the fintech space that have shown outstanding achievement within their company and sector. The award is based on achievements made in the period 1 June 2017 – 1 June 2018.

WINNER: Geraldine Gibson – AQMetrics
Geraldine’s achievements in championing diversity were applauded. Her public role as a voice for d&i resonated with the judges.  She is nurturing and supporting talent throughout the organisation.

FINALISTS

Geraldine Gibson – AQMetrics
Claire Halligan – Elavon 
Michelle McGuire – GECKO Governance 
Lesley O’Callaghan – Elavon
Claire Savage – AQMetrics 

This award is open to those in mid-to-senior positions within the financial industry (with titles including finance manager, finance director, and head of finance) who have proven to be future strategic visionaries for the business and demonstrated financial superiority within their sector.

WINNER: Adrienne Condon – Ammeon Ltd 
In a tough category to judge, Adrienne impressed with her initiative and decisiveness to become interim CFO in a challenging environment. Her experiences during this time will make her an extremely successful Future CFO.

FINALISTS

Jennifer Barry – Version 1 
Adrienne Condon – Ammeon Ltd
Valerie O’Mahony – Global Payments 

This award recognises the fund manager that has outperformed peers in her field.

WINNER: Elizabeth Geoghegan – Goodbody Asset Management 
The judges commended Elizabeth’s day to day running of two multi-asset funds. They also commented on her student mentoring programme, helping young women to start a career in finance. The judges highly commended Chantal Brennan of Davy Asset Management.

FINALISTS

Chantal Brennan – Davy Asset Management
Jessica Brescia – Merian Global Investors 
Elizabeth Geoghegan – Goodbody Asset Management 
Aine Stafford – Zurich

This award is open to the strongest contender in the insurance sector, with judges considering an outstanding track record in attracting and managing clients combined wit exceptional leadership. The award is based on achievements made in the period 1 January 2017 – 1 January 2018.

WINNER: Sylvia Cronin – Central Bank of Ireland
Sylvia caught the judges’ attention with her considerable knowledge and her innovative approach. With an impressive career in the insurance industry Sylvia has shown a passion for culture and diversity, using her platform to deliver change.

FINALISTS

Elizabeth Bothwell – Arthur Cox
Sylvia Cronin – Central Bank of Ireland
Louise Kidd – AIG Ireland
Marie O’Keeffe – Apex Insurance Ltd

This category celebrates the corporate lawyer that has demonstrated excellence in the firm and wider sector.

WINNER: Tara Doyle – Matheson
In a highly competitive category Tara impressed the judges with the changes she has implemented. Her involvement on the diversity & inclusion steering committee combined with her mentoring programmes made her the stand-out winner.

FINALISTS

Alma Campion – Matheson
Siobhan Carlin – William Fry
Tara Doyle – Matheson
Catherine Fitzsimons – Fidelity International
Suzanne Kirwan – Sepam UK
Judith Lawless – McCann FitzGerald 
Niamh Quinn – Arthur Cox
Gabrielle Ryan – Bank of Ireland Group 
Mary Ward – William Fry 

The best and brightest woman in the first five years of working within the financial services industry. Judges will be looking for nominees who have a unique and inspiring story to tell.

WINNER: Gracious Nyamupachitu – Citi

FINALISTS

Helena Dorrigan – Bank of Ireland Insurance & Investments
Lisa Kavangh – Link Asset Services
Sharon Malone – Goodbody
Gracious Nyamupachitu – Citi
Chloe Wade – IDA Ireland 

Our Woman of the Year award, contested among the winners of all other categories, will reward the female that stands above others as a true leader in finance and an inspiration to women seeking success in the industry.

WINNER: Catherine Duffy – Northern Trust

FINALISTS

Catherine Duffy – Northern Trust
Susan Hayes Culleton – Hayes Culleton Group
Melíosa O’Caoimh – Northern Trust
Claire Savage – AQMetrics 
Frances Torsney – AIG Europe