Both UCD Business Alumni of the Year for 2019 are women, with Tara McCarthy and Clare Gilmartin to be honoured tonight at an awards dinner in the InterContinental Hotel in Dublin.
The UCD Quinn and Smurfit Alumni Awards recognise alumni who have demonstrated proven leadership skills and notable achievements in business, whether in Ireland or abroad.
Tara McCarthy is chief executive of Bord Bia and has over 20 years' experience in the wider food industry. Previously chief executive at Bord Iascaigh Mhara, she also operated in overseas markets such as Germany, France and Belgium for more than a decade.
Clare Gilmartin is chief executive of Trainline, a UK train and coach aggregator that employs 600 people and which bringing together rail, coach and other travel services so customers can find the best prices and real-time travel information using the Trainline app and website.
Gilmartin has led the company through a period of rapid growth and expansion in Europe and into Asia. Trainline now operates in 45 countries selling tickets on behalf of more than 220 carriers, all in one app. Prior to Trainline, Gilmartin was VP UK/Greater Europe for eBay and she also worked at BCG and Unilever. She is a keen keen runner and lives in London with her husband and three children.
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UCD Business School dean Anthony Brabazon commented: "Tara and Clare are passionate about their careers in the food and technology 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. Tara and Clare deserve this recognition and we take the utmost pride in their success.”
Previous business alumni honoured by the college include Padraic Ward of Roche Pharmaceuticals; Aer Lingus CEO Stephen Kavanagh; Rory Byrne, CEO of Total Produce; former Primark director Breege O’Donoghue; and Glanbia CEO Siobhan Talbot.
Dr Lawrence Crowley will receive the inaugural Outstanding Contribution to Business Education award for his role as founding executive chairman of the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
Paying tribute to Crowley, UCD president prof Andrew Deeks said: "Laurence is an innovative business leader with exceptional vision. His drive to inspire excellence in others and build bridges has been evident throughout his distinguished career. His altruistic contributions have greatly enhanced societal well-being and business education, not only here in Ireland but around the world.”
Photo: Tara McCarthy (left) and Claire Gilmartin
