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A Newry businesswoman has been named Apprentice of the Year at the 2026 Women in Business Awards, which took place in Belfast on 12 March.
Seána Maginn, who works at Water Solutions Ireland, received the award, sponsored by VANRATH, in recognition of her academic learning on live projects, site supervision and decision making within her apprenticeship pathway.
The event, attended by close to 500 delegates, recognised and rewarded businesses across Northern Ireland, with deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly delivering the keynote address to open the evening.
Women in Business CEO Roseann Kelly said of this year's winners: "Through these Awards, we shine a light on success, recognising the resilience and ingenuity within women-led businesses from start-ups all the way to established enterprises. In doing so, we champion these remarkable people for what they are: role models and a source of inspiration for the leaders of tomorrow."
Jo Bertram, Managing Director of Business at Virgin Media O2 Business, added: "Huge congratulations to all of this year's Women in Business Award winners. We are genuinely proud to celebrate the passion, determination and leadership you bring to your organisations and the wider business community."
A red-carpet special recorded by podcast partner Caroline O'Neill and the Digg Podcast team is now available across podcast and streaming platforms.
The winners
Award for Growth & Scaling Business of the Year sponsored by Danske Bank
Helen Jameson, Express Merchants
Award for Young Business Woman of the Year (Corporate and Entrepreneur) sponsored by Direct Medics Healthcare Recruitment
Corporate: Abigail Duffy, Visiting Angels Northern Ireland
Entrepreneur: Jennifer Smyth, Jenn's Gym
Award for Diversity and Inclusion Champion sponsored by Queen’s Business School
Corporate: HSC Business Services Organisation
Individual: Diane Davis, Minority Recognition Awards NI
Award for Customer Excellence sponsored by Fibrus
Corporate: Natasha Crooks, NIE Networks
Small Business: Shannon McCloskey, One Step at a Time - Mental Health & Wellbeing
Award for Professional Services Excellence sponsored by McKeever Hotels
Corporate: Sinead Stewart, Cleaver Fulton Rankin
Small Business: Mabel Higgins, MH Fire Safety Ltd
Award for Best Small Business sponsored by Wilson Nesbitt
Olga McAteer, McAteer Solutions Ltd
Award for Transformational Leader of the Year sponsored by IQ&Co.
Corporate: Melissa Cochrane, Business Services Organisation (BSO)
Small Business: Aisl?n Cathcart, Adoreboard Ltd
Award for Innovation in Business sponsored by Belfast Harbour
Corporate: Anne - Marie Norton, Direct Medics
Small Business: Adrienne Hanna, Right Revenue
Award for Best New Start Up sponsored by AIB
Lee-Anne Schmitz, MyPromoPal Ltd
Award for Apprentice of the Year
Seána Maginn, Water Solutions Ireland Ltd
Award for Mentor of the Year
Maria Moreno Diez, Fibrus
Award for Business Woman of the Year 2026
Mairead Mackle, Tarasis Enterprises
