Business First

25/11/2025

Family-owned manufacturer of fresh prepared convenience foods Avondale Foods, based in Craigavon, is thrilled to celebrate a double victory at the prestigious AIB Business Eye Awards 2025, taking home both the coveted Company of the Year award and the award for Employee of the Year.

Both accolades serve as powerful recognition of the company’s long-standing commitment to its people, sustained growth, and significant investment in its future.

Avondale Foods founded in 1965 by brothers Harry and Derek Geddis, was honoured with the Company of the Year award, recognising its robust performance, commitment to sustainability, and future vision. The company supplies major UK and Irish retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, and Dunnes.

Avondale is entering its seventh decade with the second generation of the Geddis family holding key positions within the company and significant expansion plans.

Avondale Foods, based in Craigavon, is thrilled to celebrate a double victory at the prestigious AIB Business Eye Awards 2025,

25/11/2025

Jet2holidays is the UK’s leading tour operator to many leisure destinations across the Mediterranean and Canary Islands and provides great value package holidays you can trust to more than 600 resorts, all secured with a low £60pp booking deposit. Customers have a choice of thousands of 2-5-star hotels, with Jet2.com flights, an industry leading 22kg baggage allowance, 10kg hand luggage and airport transfers included.

Jet2holidays is the UK’s leading tour operator to many leisure destinations across the Mediterranean and Canary Islands

25/11/2025

Coleraine designer Sander Van Eck has plans to make his waterproof socks brand a “go-to” product for outdoor enthusiasts across the globe after being announced as the overall winner of Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch.

Sander Van Eck, whose start-up business Noord provides waterproof socks designed to improve comfort and performance for outdoor use, took home a prize package including £5,000 in investment following the high-profile competition organised by Go Succeed, the government-backed free business advice and support service.

He was among 11 entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to a panel of expert judges at the Ultimate Pitch Final, held in the Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Co Derry, following a series of local heats across Northern Ireland.

Originally from the Netherlands, Sander came up with the idea of making top performing and stylish waterproof socks after realising there was a gap in the market for affordable, high-quality waterproof gear.

Coleraine designer Sander Van Eck has plans to make his waterproof socks brand a “go-to” product for outdoor enthusiasts

25/11/2025

2025 has been a record year for Oasis Travel’s Portfolio team, with the local agents being named as ‘Best Independent Luxury Retail Business of the Year’ at the UK-wide Aspire Awards 2025, which honour the UK’s top luxury agencies and suppliers.

This latest national award win comes on the back of the Oasis Portfolio of Luxury Travel team being named as ‘Travel Retail Business of the Year’ at the TTG Luxury Travel Awards 2025 and the ‘Top Luxury High Street Travel Agency’ at the TTG Luxury Top 20 awards.

Earlier this year, Manager of the Oasis Portfolio of Luxury Travel division, Julie-Anne Vaughan, was also named as Travel Designer of the Year at the TTG Luxury Travel Awards, recognising Julie-Anne’s exceptional expertise, dedication and personalised approach to designing unforgettable journeys for her clients.

2025 has been a record year for Oasis Travel’s Portfolio team, with the local agents being named as ‘Best Independent Luxury Retail Business of the Year

24/11/2025

Pizza Crew has done it again, winning Northern Ireland Food-To-Go Franchise of the Year 2025 for the second year running and cementing its reputation as one of NI’s most consistent high-performers in the booming food-to-go scene.

The win adds to an impressive roll of honour: Best Franchise in the Country 2024 at the Food to Go Awards, Best Takeaway in the Country at the Just Eat Awards 2023, and Belfast’s No.1-rated pizza on Tripadvisor.
Pizza Crew
Owner Ciaran Kelly says every bit of success belongs to the people behind the counters and the ovens.

“This is the best crew in the business. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to every team member for their energy and belief in what they do,” said Ciaran.

Pizza Crew has done it again, winning Northern Ireland Food-To-Go Franchise of the Year 2025 for the second year running

24/11/2025

Proparamedics (PPM) part of the island-wide MCL Group and one of Ireland’s leading independent ambulance providers – has launched Northern Ireland’s first off-road recovery ambulances, marking a major step forward in specialist emergency response and event medical care.

The introduction of two new off-road units to the MCL Group marks the completion of a £500,000 investment in new premises, fleet expansion, and enhanced operational capability as part of the company's relocation to Maryland Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Belfast from Weaver’s Court.

Custom-made, the new off-road recovery ambulances are purpose-built to operate where traditional vehicles cannot – making them ideally suited for outdoor events such as racecourses. Their all-terrain capabilities allow medical teams to reach patients quickly and safely, even in environments with limited access, enabling timely treatment before transferring patients to an awaiting on-road ambulance.