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Michael Cullen (pictured right) and Padraic Ward (on the left) were honoured at the UCD Business Alumni of the Year 2018 awards dinner at the InterContinental Hotel, Dublin, on Friday, April 27^th.

Cullen and Ward join a list of prominent business graduates of UCD’s Smurfit graduate and Quinn undergraduate schools  who have previously been honoured, including 2017 winners Stephen Kavanagh, CEO, Aer Lingus and Rory Byrne, CEO, Total Produce; Breege O’Donoghue, former Director, Primark; Aidan Brady, former CEO, Citibank Europe plc and former Citi Country Officer, Ireland; Siobhan Talbot, Group CEO, Glanbia plc; Caroline Casey, CEO, Kanchi; Alan Ennis, former CEO, Revlon Group and current CEO of Glansaol; Patrick Kennedy, former CEO, Paddy Power; Senator Feargal Quinn, founder of Superquinn; Gina Quin, President, National College Ireland; Aidan Heavey, CEO, Tullow Oil; Michael Carey, Managing Director, East Coast Bakehouse and former CEO of Jacob Fruitfield; Tony Garry, former CEO, Davy Stockbrokers; Liam Fitzgerald, former CEO, United Drug, and Vivienne Jupp, former partner at Accenture, amongst others.

The UCD Quinn and Smurfit Alumni Awards, which have been running since 1991, recognise alumni who have demonstrated proven leadership skills and notable achievements in business, whether in Ireland or abroad. 

Speaking of this year’s winners, Professor Anthony Brabazon, Dean, UCD College of Business, said, “We are thrilled to honour Michael Cullen and Padraic Ward as our 2018 Alumni of the Year. For over 100 years, UCD College of Business has educated leaders that have contributed immensely to business, political and social life both here in Ireland and around the world.  Since 1991, the School has celebrated and recognised the achievements and success of our graduates through the ‘Alumni of the Year’ awards. Both Padraic and Michael are passionate about their careers in the pharmaceutical and financial sectors and clearly demonstrate strong leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit, and integrity on personal and professional levels, all characteristics we try to instil in our students.  Padraic and Michael deserve this recognition and we take utmost pride in their success”.

The Alumni of the Year Awards Dinner 2018 is sponsored by ICON Plc and all profits raised will be donated to the UCD College of Business Scholarship Fund, supporting the next generation of business leaders.