Cantillon: Executives would hire Victoria Beckham over Trump

It's just as well that American billionaire gasbag Donald Trump isn't running for the presidency in Ireland judging by a straw poll of leading Irish executives and entrepreneurs at the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards on Thursday night.

Those attending the awards dinner at the Mansion House in Dublin were asked who they would appoint to their executive board if given the choice from a panel comprising Trump, Lord Alan Sugar, Victoria Beckham and Sheryl Sandberg.

Some 32 per cent were prepared to hire Lord Sugar as their apprentice, with 29 per cent opting for Sandberg and 27 per cent choosing Beckham, possibly to add a dash of style to the boardroom.

Trump, who owns the Doonbeg golf resort in Co Clare, trailed in with just 12 per cent. It was all a bit of fun, of course, but the great man will need higher levels of public support across the pond if he’s to “Make America Great Again!”

For the record, Galway-based pharmaceutical manufacturer Chanelle Group won the overall company award from a record 676 entries.