THE TOP prize at the the Imagemagazine Businesswoman of the Year Award in The Merrion Hotel on Wednesday evening went to Vicki O'Toole of packaging company JJ O'Toole Ltd. The plastic bag levy, introduced in 2002, reduced the company's turnover by 40 per cent. But Vicki returned to the company's 1914 beginnings as a paper packaging company and restored the company's fortunes.
Image'ssocial diarist Tina Koumarianos was on hand to welcome guests. Tina's hair is now in five colours: her own colour; peacock green; navy; mauve; and flamingo pink. Her dog, a St Bernard named Monty, died this summer, she said, and she has a new Neapolitan Mastiff called Domina. "It means mistress of the house," said Tina, "and she is quite the mistress already." Domina is the granddaughter of the beast that played Hagrid's dog Fang in the Harry Potterfilms.
Also at the Awards was Fiona Gratzer of Unislim. Her mother founded the company almost 40 years ago. “My mother became three stone overweight after having me,” said Fiona and that’s how the company started. January will be the company’s busiest month.
Celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna bagged the ImageEntrepreneur of the Year Award. She was there with her sister-in-law, Erin McKenna, who handles Clodagh's marketing.
Enjoying the wine and canapés at the awards were Charley Stoney from Mayo who won Businesswoman of the Year in 2009 for her work at Field Management Ireland, promoter and fundraiser Caroline Downey and restaurateur May Frisby. Also there were Jenny McDermott, the marketing director of Peter Mark, and Aileen O’Brien of O’Brien PR in Naas, Co Kildare.
The editor of ImageMelanie Morris was also there, taking time out from planning her wedding. She will walk down the aisle of University Church on Stephen's Green this morning with her father, Mr Justice Frederick Morris.
Melanie is marrying Trevor Rigley, from Leicester, who moved to Ireland more than 15 years ago and now works as a manager for Esso. She will wear a Louise Kennedy dress and her mother, Valerie, will be in a Jen Kelly couture piece.
