Cookstown, Magherafelt and Draperstown business men win top awards

Three business leaders from Mid Ulster have been recognised for their innovation and inspiration with prestigious '˜Directors' awards.
Richard Ennis of sponsors First Trust Bank presents Raymond Cooke of CDE Global Ltd, with the Young Director of the Year award, sponsored by First Trust Bank, at the 2016 IoD NI First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards ceremony, which took place at the Merchant Hotel on Friday.Richard Ennis of sponsors First Trust Bank presents Raymond Cooke of CDE Global Ltd, with the Young Director of the Year award, sponsored by First Trust Bank, at the 2016 IoD NI First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards ceremony, which took place at the Merchant Hotel on Friday.
Richard Ennis of sponsors First Trust Bank presents Raymond Cooke of CDE Global Ltd, with the Young Director of the Year award, sponsored by First Trust Bank, at the 2016 IoD NI First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards ceremony, which took place at the Merchant Hotel on Friday.

Brendan McGurgan, Brian McErlain and Brian Murray, leaders of businesses in Cookstown, Magherafelt, and Draperstown respectively, received awards at the 2016 IoD Northern Ireland First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards.

The Awards highlighted the success of directors from across the private, third and public sectors who have been recognised for setting exceptional standards of leadership and demonstrating good corporate governance.

Here is what the judges had to say about the trio, who now has the chance to be shortlisted for the UK Awards, in London later this year.

Richard Ennis of sponsors First Trust Bank and Paul Terrington, Chairman of the IoD NI, present Brian McErlain CDir of Genesis Crafty with the Family Business Director of the Year award, sponsored by BDO Northern Ireland, at the 2016 IoD NI First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards ceremony, which took place at the Merchant Hotel on Friday.Richard Ennis of sponsors First Trust Bank and Paul Terrington, Chairman of the IoD NI, present Brian McErlain CDir of Genesis Crafty with the Family Business Director of the Year award, sponsored by BDO Northern Ireland, at the 2016 IoD NI First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards ceremony, which took place at the Merchant Hotel on Friday.
Richard Ennis of sponsors First Trust Bank and Paul Terrington, Chairman of the IoD NI, present Brian McErlain CDir of Genesis Crafty with the Family Business Director of the Year award, sponsored by BDO Northern Ireland, at the 2016 IoD NI First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards ceremony, which took place at the Merchant Hotel on Friday.

Young Director of the Year – Brendan McGurgan CDir, CDE Global Ltd: “Brendan provides us with the reassurance that Northern Ireland has the entrepreneurial and strategic talent which will energise growth for decades to come. He leads a global team in competitive markets and has overseen a 30% growth in sales, a profit improvement of more than 150% and 56% increase in exports.”

Family Business Director of the Year – Brian McErlain CDir, Genesis Crafty: “Brian is a leading local example of how to successfully direct, manage, govern and grow an award-winning family business, in the truest sense of the word. His extensive, hands-on experience has enabled him to appropriately balance the demands of the business with the needs of the family.”

Third Sector Director of the Year - Brian Murray, The Workspace Group: “With his inspirational and enthusiastic leadership style, Brian is someone who has tirelessly promoted his social enterprise from a small business to one that now employs more than 170 people over 19 locations and has helped 106 new business start-ups.”

Paul Terrington, IoD NI Chairman, said: “From large multinational firms to SMEs, and from recent start-ups to long-established family businesses, the full range of organisations is represented by the individual winners.

Richard Ennis of sponsors First Trust Bank and Paul Terrington, Chairman of the IoD NI, present Brian Murray of The Workspace Group with the Third Sector Director of the Year award, sponsored by First Trust Bank, at the 2016 IoD NI First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards ceremony, which took place at the Merchant Hotel on Friday.Richard Ennis of sponsors First Trust Bank and Paul Terrington, Chairman of the IoD NI, present Brian Murray of The Workspace Group with the Third Sector Director of the Year award, sponsored by First Trust Bank, at the 2016 IoD NI First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards ceremony, which took place at the Merchant Hotel on Friday.
Richard Ennis of sponsors First Trust Bank and Paul Terrington, Chairman of the IoD NI, present Brian Murray of The Workspace Group with the Third Sector Director of the Year award, sponsored by First Trust Bank, at the 2016 IoD NI First Trust Bank Director of the Year Awards ceremony, which took place at the Merchant Hotel on Friday.

“I’d like to warmly congratulate the successful directors as well as those who were shortlisted, and wish them continued success for the future.” Des Moore, Head of awards sponsors First Trust Bank, said: “We believe that for the winners, and indeed the other nominees, strong leadership is not only keenly felt by the organisations they work for, but also the Northern Ireland economy as a whole.

“We commend them all for their efforts and dedication.”