This year’s winner of the Anna May McHugh Female Leadership award is Miriam Concannon from JFC Agri.

The award was presented at the Ploughing Championships on 20 September in the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena.

Speaking with Irish Country Living, Concannon says she was very pleased to win the award.

“I was really delighted and chuffed to be here. As a female in the business, hopefully this will empower other females and just be a nice recognition really,” says Concannon.

Award

The award acknowledges the work of females within the Irish agribusiness sector. Last year’s winners were Áine Lecky and Eibhlin Murphy from Major Machinery.

“I was delighted, it’s a real honour. The women who have gone and received this award, it’s amazing to be a part of that and in their category,” she says.

JFC is a family-owned manufacturing business based in Tuam, Co Galway. Concannon has been working there for nearly seven years and is the business development director.

“I don’t personally ever feel there is a gender thing in the room. To be fair, I’m of a generation where that’s almost over. I don’t notice that and I think that’s probably because of women like Anna May that have gone before us and made it happen.

Opportunity

“There’s really no limitations, male or female. It’s just about giving anyone who wants to take an opportunity, a chance and anyone who wants to go ahead and do something, let them do it and let them feel empowered to do it and don’t put limitations in the way just because someone is male or female,” Concannon says.

Presenting the award on stage were Anna May McHugh, Enterprise Ireland chief executive Julie Sinnamon and Enterprise Ireland senior regional development executive James Moloney.

“This year we shortlisted three and we based the winner on their role in the company, the future, the innovation and the driving ambition in terms of reaching their market potential and global markets. Essentially, it’s looking to the future,” says Moloney.

The final decision was made by a committee from the Irish Farmers Journal, Enterprise Ireland and the National Ploughing Association.