Feargal McCormack honoured with lifetime achievement award

Feargal McCormack, Managing Partner – Ireland of AAB, claimed the coveted headline award of the night, the Lifetime Achievement award, at the 16th Year of Northern Ireland’s leading business awards, AT the AIB Business Eye Awards at the ICC Belfast on Thursday 17th November 2022. 

With 19 different categories showcasing an impressive array of winners spanning across every type and size of business here in Northern Ireland, Feargal was hand-picked by the judges to receive this special award, bestowed to the individual who has made a significant and lasting contribution not just to their own business or sector, but also to the Northern Ireland business community and economy as a whole. 

On announcing the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Richard Buckley, Editor of Business Eye said,  

“This recipient is perfect for a lifetime achievement award and as soon as his name was mentioned by one of our judging panel, we agreed on the spot and ended the discussion … we had our winner. On a personal note, our recipient tonight is one of the most positive, optimistic, helpful and inspirational people that Brenda and I have ever had the pleasure to meet during our business life. Ladies and gentlemen, the lifetime achievement award goes to … Feargal McCormack.” 

‘An award not given every year’ reminded our Awards Host for the evening, critically acclaimed broadcaster Pamela Ballantine, as she welcomed Feargal on stage in front of a 600+ strong audience. Surrounded by the support of his AAB business partners, his wife Anne and son Ruairi, Feargal joined the judges on stage to receive the prestigious award, saying:

“I am very humbled, surprised, but honoured to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award. I am very aware of the significant contribution Business Eye and its principals Richard & Brenda Buckley are making to the Northern Ireland economy. On behalf of all the award winners this evening I express sincere thanks to them and the entire Business Eye team and all the Award sponsors, especially AIB.  

From a personal perspective, my life has been a journey of learning and leadership experiences.  Since I founded FPM (now AAB), over 30 years ago, my motivation in business, has been to create a legacy business.  The recent merger of FPM and AAB will enhance the legacy of the business, by facilitating succession and transition to existing and future generations.  From day one, I have been very conscious that anything we have been fortunate to achieve, has been the result of a passionate collective TEAM effort, and I express sincere thanks to all current and former AAB team members, who have helped us along the way. I am very grateful, that all my fellow AAB partners are here this evening. Our exciting journey together, has been reflected in this recognition tonight.” 

Above all else, Feargal acknowledged the support of his family and the experiences that have shaped his life. 

Feargal concluded his speech saying:  

“Congratulations to all the award winners this evening and sincere thanks and gratitude to the judges and Business Eye for bestowing the great honour of a Lifetime Achievement Award upon me this evening.” 

Brian Gillan, Head of Retail & NI at AIB highlighted the importance of celebrating success especially in the current climate,

“These awards act as a fantastic showcase of best-practice, leadership and innovation given the challenges currently facing our business community. It’s more important than ever that we take a step back and shine a light on the qualities that make our local business community so successful.” 

Congratulations Feargal, your team at AAB are incredibly proud of you and your achievement. 

 Onwards and Upwards, the AAB way.  

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Scroll down for all the photos and fun from the evening…