Hosted by Mallusk Enterprise Park, the Awards were supported by Title Sponsor Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Associate Sponsors Revelation Accountants and Henderson Foodservice, and a range of category sponsors from across the local business community.
The sold-out black-tie gala awards celebrated achievement across 14 award categories, recognising businesses and individuals for excellence in areas including manufacturing, customer service, sustainability, hospitality, community impact and leadership.
The awards were independently judged, with the Outstanding Independent Retailer category decided by public vote.
Among the winners were McKeever Hotels, Advanced NI Scaffolding, AudioLevel, RTU, The Bridge Association, Corr’s Corner Hotel, ProMetNI, Giraffe Group, K2 International and Expeditors.
The evening culminated in McKeever Hotels being named the first-ever Antrim & Newtownabbey Business of the Year, selected from the category winners in recognition of outstanding performance, leadership, innovation and impact.
2026 ANBAs winners
Antrim & Newtownabbey Business of the Year (Sponsored by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council)
Winner: McKeever Hotels
Outstanding Independent Retailer Award (Sponsored by b4b group)
Winner: AudioLevel
Greatest Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award (Sponsored by NovoGen)
Winner: RTU
Highly Commended: Environmental Street Furniture
Excellence in Contribution to the Community Award (Sponsored by Fibrus)
Winner: The Bridge Association
Best Family Business Award (Sponsored by Stem Systems)
Winner: Advanced NI Scaffolding
Highly Commended: McKeever Hotels
Best Eating Establishment (Sponsored by Henderson Foodservice)
Winner: Corr's Corner Hotel
Business Growth Award (Sponsored by Danske Bank)
Winner: McKeever Hotels
Highly Commended: Cleary Contracting
Business Start Up of the Year Award (Sponsored by Mallusk Enterprise Park)
Winner: K2 International
Highly Commended: AI for SMEs & RoutineRoo
Best Transport & Logistics Award (Sponsored by Belfast International Airport)
Winner: Expeditors
Best Apprentice Employer Award (Sponsored by The Michelin Trust)
Winner: Advanced NI Scaffolding
Highly Commended: Cleary Contracting
Excellence in Manufacturing Award (Sponsored by Kingfisher Country Estate)
Winner: ProMetNI
Highly Commended: Brett Martin
Excellence in Customer Service Award (Sponsored by Watson & Co Chartered Marketing)
Winner: Giraffe Group
Highly Commended: Selfie Solutions NI
Rising Star – Young Business Person Award (Under 30) (Sponsored by The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat)
Winner: Aoife Murray - McKeever Hotels
Highly Commended: Catherine Anderson - LEDCOM
Antrim & Newtownabbey Business Person of the Year (Sponsored by Revelation Accountants)
Winner: Eugene McKeever MBE
Emma Garrett, Chief Executive of Mallusk Enterprise Park and the driving force behind the ANBAs, said:
“We wanted the ANBAs to be about much more than handing out trophies. We wanted to shine a light on the businesses and people taking risks, creating jobs, innovating, supporting their communities and making things happen across the Borough.
The response has reinforced just how important it is to create platforms that give local businesses recognition, connections and the confidence to keep growing.
Congratulations to all of our winners, highly commended recipients and finalists. They should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Henry Cushinan, said:
“Antrim and Newtownabbey has one of the most diverse and dynamic business communities in Northern Ireland, and tonight’s finalists are a great example of the ambition, resilience and innovation that drives it forward.
As a Council, we want to create the conditions that help businesses start, grow, invest and succeed. These awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise that contribution and celebrate the people helping make our Borough a great place to do business.
It has been a pleasure to celebrate the achievements of so many outstanding businesses and individuals from across the Borough, and we look forward to seeing what they do next.”
The evening was hosted by comedian Neil Delamere, who kept guests entertained throughout the Awards, with more than a few carefully avoiding eye contact in case they became part of the act. Following the presentation of the awards, celebrations continued with music and dancing late into the evening.
The evening also raised an impressive £4,160 for ANBAs charity partner Listening Ear, supporting its work providing counselling, guidance and emotional support to individuals and families across the local community. The ANBAs were professionally managed by events agency plannd, which oversaw the awards process and coordinated the independent judging panel.
For more information about the Antrim & Newtownabbey Business Awards (ANBAs), visit www.anbawards.com.
