The inaugural Association and Institutes Awards 2024 event took place in Dublin. The event, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, brought together professionals and authorities from several sectors to celebrate innovation. The sparkling night, compered by author, broadcaster, and comedian Colm O’Regan, displayed an array of talents, abilities, and unwavering commitment.
Eminent among the award winners was the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), which received the overall excellence award. The award honours its trail-blazing efforts in the academic field, particularly for nurturing professional growth while innovatively supporting leadership within the education system in Ireland.
The ceremony wasn’t all about groups, as individuals were also lauded. Richard Burton, founder of the International Institute of Nutrition and Health (IINH), came under the spotlight when he got awarded the outstanding contribution award. With his bespoke programmes and unflagging efforts in standardising health coaching globally, Burton’s influence transcends the classroom.
In a recent initiative, Burton introduced a self-compassion programme catered towards healthcare professionals, exemplifying his holistic approach to health. He was also credited for his leadership when IINH stepped in to support students from a suddenly shuttered institution, allowing them to complete their courses.
Richard Burton’s influence also extends to founding Taste Health Kitchen, a unique cooking school based within a nutrition college, believed to be the only one in Europe. He further makes a mark in the corporate arena with IINH’s Wellness at Work initiative, aimed at enhancing employee wellness.
The panel of judges lauded Burton as more than just a visionary, hailing him as a transformative figure whose unstinting dedication has uplifted individuals and organisations alike. They acknowledged the far-reaching effects of his invaluable contributions to health and wellness.
Michael Bulman, alliances director at international technology firm Kyndryl Ireland, and judging coordinator for the awards, expressed immense pleasure in participating in the charter Association and Institutes Awards in 2024. He highlighted the exceptional quality of the nominations and winners, underscoring the substantial impact these organisations have had across various Irish industries.
The unabated commitment and well-structured programs that have significantly influenced the professional lives of many people were key highlights. Bulman emphasised how insightful these achievements were in understanding the influence of these teams.
The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) was acclaimed as the leading association of the year. ISCP Chairperson, Catherine Mc Loughlin, stated how their ongoing endeavour was not only to support their members but to advocate for excellence in health, rehabilitation, professional development and leadership at global levels, reflexive of the burgeoning nature of the physiotherapy profession.
The commendation for the top learning or professional development scheme for a business with less than 100 employees was bestowed upon the Insurance Institute of Ireland, in light of their commendable efforts to understand and communicate the reality of climate dangers. The institute’s triumphant project was their Certificate in Climate Risk, key in its provision of crucial knowledge in facing new EU climate rules and understanding the impacts of climate modification on financial services.
The lauded success of the inaugural Association and Institutes Awards has spurred hopes for it to become a regular occasion for institutes and associations all over Ireland to recognise and celebrate their accomplishments.
A noteworthy mention goes to Business River for their crucial role in sharing these inspiring success stories from hidden corners of the Irish corporate sector.
The panel of respected judges for this event consisted of individuals such as Michael Bulman, a former president of Kyndryl Ireland, and Vanessa Brady, founder of The Society of British and International Interior Design. The recipients of the awards included the Restaurants Association of Ireland, who claimed the CEO of the Year prize with Adrian Cummins.
The Law Society of Ireland’s Diploma in Aviation Leasing and Finance was awarded the top spot for the best learning and professional development programme for businesses with more than 100 staff. For institutions with under 100 staff members, The Insurance Institute of Ireland’s Certificate in Climate Risk for Financial Services Professionals took up the accolade.
In other categories, Learnovate won the best membership services award, while the award for the best event was won by NAPD for their Reimagining Leadership event. The Corporate Governance Institute earned the prestigious title of the institute of the year.
Woven Editorial Panel secured the win for the best digital publication. The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists made outstanding strides, leading them to win the best association of the year, showcasing their impressive Journey from 30 to 3,200 Members.
Chartered Accountants Ireland was recognised for their outstanding engagement and communications with members. Innovation of the year spotlight was taken by CPA Ireland for their revolutionary project, Metaverse.