The RDS Gold Medal Award for Industry is one of the Society's flagship awards, recognising excellence in industry. It is awarded annually to an individual who has made an exceptional impact on industry and commerce.

To be nominated the individual must have shown considerable professional and leadership skills and have an outstanding track record in business achievement which has contributed to employment and economic development in Ireland.

Since its inception in 1992, when Ray McSharry was awarded the Gold Medal in recognition for his work as European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Medal has been awarded to many of Ireland’s most prominent business people including: Sir George Quigley of Bombardier; Dr Peter Sutherland of BP and Goldman Sachs; Sir Michael Smurfit of Jefferson Smurfit; Sir Anthony O’Reilly; Dr Craig Barrett of Intel; Mr Niall FitzGerald KBE of Reuters and Unilever; Mr Kieran McGowan of the IDA,  Dr Bernard Collins, of VHI Healthcare and Mr Willie Walsh of International Airlines Group.

These past winners have made a huge contribution to the socio-economic situation in Ireland and through their success have helped bring about the self confidence we now have in our own ability to not only succeed when times are good but to meet head on these challenging times that we now face to develop our economy in new and dynamic ways.

For further information, please contact:

Back to top