Leadership Awards

Daniel McConnell is a leading journalist, broadcaster, moderator and editor. He has been editor of the Business Post and Businesspost.ie since April 2023 and has overall responsibility for the leadership of the editorial team across digital, multimedia and print. A seven-time national journalism award winner, Daniel was named Ireland’s journalist of the year and political journalist of the year in 2022. Previously he served as Political Editor at the Irish Examiner and Group Political Correspondent at Independent News and Media (Mediahuis Ireland). He co-authored the 2016 best-seller ‘Hell at the Gates’ and is a leading contributor to and presenter on national radio and TV, acting as stand-in presenter on Matt Cooper’s Last Word on Today FM.

Paul Johnston took up his role as Director General of the Irish Universities in November 2025. Paul joined the UK Civil Service in 1990 and has had a wide range of diplomatic roles. Paul became British Ambassador to Ireland in September 2020. Before that, he was UK Ambassador to the EU for Political and Security affairs from 2017 to January 2020 and Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO. From August 2011 to August 2015, he was British Ambassador to Sweden.

Paul Reid is an experienced board chairman and non-executive director. A business and transformation leader who has held CEO and senior executive roles in the private, semi-state, central government, local government, health and not-for-profit sectors. Mr Reid has strong experience in leading and reforming large, complex, regulated and unionised organisations. Respected at Government level, having worked closely with three Taoisigh, Government Ministers and Secretaries General across all departments.

Martina Fitzgerald is CEO of Scale Ireland, the largest independent not-for-profit representative organisation supporting Irish tech start-ups and scaling companies. She is also a member of the Irish Government’s Digital Advisory group and a member of the advisory board of the EU Commission funded agency, the Europe Start-up Nations Alliance. Additionally, Martina serves on the board of the Grangegorman Development Agency. Previously, Martina was a political correspondent with RTÉ and authored the best-selling book, Madam Politician. Martina completed leadership programmes at Rotterdam School of Management and Harvard Business School and was a Visiting Fellow at Columbia University.Martina Fitzgerald is CEO of Scale Ireland, the largest independent not-for-profit representative organisation supporting Irish tech start-ups and scaling companies. She is also a member of the Irish Government’s Digital Advisory group and a member of the advisory board of the EU Commission funded agency, the Europe Start-up Nations Alliance. Additionally, Martina serves on the board of the Grangegorman Development Agency. Previously, Martina was a political correspondent with RTÉ and authored the best-selling book, Madam Politician. Martina completed leadership programmes at Rotterdam School of Management and Harvard Business School and was a Visiting Fellow at Columbia University.

Jackie King is an accomplished international business leader with over 20 years of experience in spearheading strategic initiatives, driving business growth, and fostering innovation across diverse industries. Currently Executive Director of Ibec’s International Business Division, she was previously COO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and before that, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Hill+Knowlton Strategies. She has a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to achieve ambitious goals, expand market presence, and maximise profitability in dynamic markets.

Donal MacNamee is Banking and Fintech Correspondent at the Business Post, covering Ireland’s major retail banks alongside the rapidly evolving fintech sector. His reporting focuses on the intersection of traditional finance and digital disruption, from regulatory change and market consolidation to challenger banks and emerging technologies. An award-winning journalist, he was named Irish Business Journalist of the year in 2023, recognised for his clear, authoritative coverage of complex financial issues

Peter O’Dwyer is a multi-award-winning journalist who has built a reputation for authoritative reporting and breaking major stories, including work recognised at the UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards. As Head of News, he leads the newsroom’s journalism across key sectors including business, politics and the wider economy. Appointed to the role in 2023, he plays a central role in shaping the publication’s editorial agenda and delivering impactful, agenda-setting coverage.

Laura Roddy is industry correspondent of the Business Post, where she reports on Ireland’s largest companies and speaks to the country’s top chief executives. An award-winning journalist, she has a particular interest in energy and environment, with a track record in breaking agenda-setting stories across these areas. She has previously written for the Sunday Times, The Journal.ie, The Currency and The Irish Times.

Gillian Nelis has held a variety of roles with the Business Post group, including property editor and deputy editor. A journalist with over 25 years experience, she is currently the Business Post’s managing editor, and is heavily involved in the company’s digital transformation agenda. She is the editor of the Business Post’s weekly Life&Luxury supplement , and is also chair of the judging panel for the Food&Wine Restaurant of the Year awards.

Charlie Taylor is Ireland’s leading technology reporter, regularly breaking news stories on the sector and providing incisive analysis on trends both local and international. He is the editor of Connected, the Business Post’s monthly technology magazine, the host of the Connected News Podcast and is a regular contributor at tech events around the country.