Showcasing Success: Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Business Awards 2025

Published on 28 March 2025

Hosted in association with Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and GMcG Chartered Accountants, the prestigious event celebrated the outstanding achievements of local businesses across a wide range of sectors.

Guests were immersed in a dazzling New York, New York themed extravaganza, complete with glamorous red carpet entrances, exquisite cuisine, electrifying live entertainment, and dynamic moments, all masterfully presented by the charismatic local Radio Presenter, Cate Conway.

Awards were presented in 14 categories, highlighting excellence in areas such as customer service, new business innovation, business success, and tourism.

Alderman Amanda Grehan, Chair of the Regeneration & Growth Committee, said: "These awards were established to celebrate the incredible diversity and talent within Lisburn and Castlereagh’s business community. Our local businesses and entrepreneurs are instrumental in driving innovation, creating opportunities, and contributing significantly to the region’s continued growth and prosperity”

“We are immensely proud of all shortlisted finalists and warmly congratulate our winners on their well-deserved recognition. On behalf of the council, I extend sincere thanks to our awards sponsors and all participating businesses. We wish you continued growth and success in 2025.”

Stephen Houston, Director at GMcG Chartered Accountants’ Lisburn office, said “GMcG was delighted to support the 2025 Lisburn & Castlereagh City Business Awards as an Associate Sponsor. The awards evening was a fantastic opportunity to recognise business excellence across the region and celebrate those demonstrating outstanding success, ambition, and innovation. Having advised and worked with the Lisburn business community since 2009, GMcG thoroughly enjoyed seeing local businesses from all sectors celebrated at this year’s awards.”

The black-tie ceremony was hosted by local Radio Presenter, Cate Conway and also featured entertainment performances by musical theatre stars from Peter Corry Productions - Northern Ireland’s premium corporate entertainment production company, who, for over 15 years have been collaborating with businesses to deliver one of a kind shows and events that are truly unforgettable. 

The cast, regularly seen on stages in London’s West End and beyond, delivered a stunning performance of musical theatre favourites including I Have a Dream, Hamilton, Defying Gravity, Your Song, Stars, and One Day More.

They were joined for a spectacular finale by Peter Corry MBE, whose distinguished international career has seen him captivate audiences around the globe. His notable roles include Javert in Les Misérables, Sweeney in Sweeney Todd, and Fagin in Oliver!.

The full list of winners is as follows:

Lisburn & Castlereagh Business Person Of The Year
Winner: Erwin McKee - Leckey
Sponsored by GMcG Chartered Accountants

Best Family Business Award
Winner: McQuillan Companies
Sponsored by Dalzell Property

Best New Business Award
Winner: Langtry Lane
Sponsored by Lisburn Enterprise Organisation

Best Social Enterprise Business Award
Winner: Habitat For Humanity Restore
Sponsored by Haslem Hotel

Best Tourism Business Award
Winner: Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes
Sponsored by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council

Business Success Award
Winner: Hillmount
Sponsored by Leckey

Best Company To Work For Award
Winner: Leckey
Sponsored by Lisburn Chamber

Innovation Award
Winner: Kitchen Pod Hire
Sponsored by SERC

Excellence In Manufacturing Award
Winner: International Business Centre
Sponsored by Ivanhoe Hotel

Excellence In Customer Service Award
Winner: Ivanhoe Hotel
Sponsored by Lough Services

Excellence In Contribution To The Community Award
Winner: Atlas Womens Centre
Sponsored by Power NI

Rising Star Award
Winner: Laura Montgomery - Leckey
Sponsored by Decora

Best Eating Establishment Award
Winner: Ashvale Farm Shop & Tea Room
Sponsored by Hinch Distillery

Inclusive Business Award
Winner: Stepping Stones & Henderson Group
Sponsored by Bank Of Ireland

Access our photo gallery from the evening using this link

For more details and photos from the awards ceremony please visit www.lcccbusinessawards.com 

Our Lisburn & Castlereagh Business Person of the year winner is Erwin McKee of Leckey.  This award was sponsored by GMcG Chartered Accountants and presented by Stephen Houston.
The Best New Business Award was won by Langtry Lane.  This was sponsored by Lisburn Enterprise Organisation and Andrew Robinson presented it to Tracey and Luke Flavelle
Hillmount won the Business Success Award that was sponsored by Leckey.  Alan Mercer received the award from Clayre Scott
Excellence in Customer Service was won by the Ivanhoe Hotel, sponsored by Lough Services.  Paula Keane accepted the award from Elizabeth Tumelty
Our Best Tourism Award winner is Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes and we sponsored this award. Alderman Amanda Grehan, Regeneration & Growth Chair and David Burns, Chief Executive presented it to Claire and Damien Butler
Kitchen Pod NI secured the Innovation Award sponsored by SERC.  Pam Kelly presented it to Jeremy and Judith McKinney​​
Excellence in Manufacturing winner was International Business Centre who received the award from sponsor Ivanhoe Hotel.  Iain Wilson received the award from Jim Maguire
Habitat for Humanity Restore won the Best Social Enterprise Business Award, sponsored by Haslem Hotel.  Niall Burns presented the award to the local Habitat for Humanity team
Leckey secured the Best Company to Work For Award sponsored by Lisburn Chamber of Commerce.  Clayre Scott received the award from Lisburn Chamber President Ruth Young
Our Inclusive Business Award winner was Stepping Stones NI & Henderson Group.  The sponsor was Bank of Ireland and presented by Diane McCall
McQuillan Companies won Best Family Business Award, sponsored by Dalzell Property.  Andrew Dalzell presented the award to Niall McQuillan, Bernard McLaughlin and Stephen McQuillan
Atlas Women's Centre secured the Power NI sponsored Excellence in Contribution to the Community Award.  Amy Bennington presented the award to Anne Johnson
Best Eating Establishment Award was won by Ashvale Farm Shop & Tea Room.  The sponsor was Hinch Distillery.  Emily Jane Herron received the award from Terry Cross


Our Rising Star Award was won by Laura Montgomery from Leckey.  A colleague collected it on her behalf from Gillian Corstorphine of sponsor Decora