IRELAND/UAE. The Arab-Irish Business Summit 2025, held on 18 September at Dublin’s Mansion House, saw the inaugural Colm McLoughlin Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship presented by McLoughlin’s wife Breeda.
Colm McLoughlin, who passed away on 30 October 2024, was the long-time Executive Vice Chairman and CEO at Dubai Duty Free, and the driving force behind the company’s rise to become a US$2 billion turnover travel retailer.
The winners of the awards were Lakeland Dairies International Sales Manager Des Hurley, who was recognised for driving Irish dairy trade across Arab markets, and Water Wipes Founder Edward McCloskey, who leads a pioneering baby products brand rooted in Ireland.
Core criteria for candidates included innovation, growth and performance, leadership and vision, corporate social responsibility, employee engagement, industrial impact and resilience.
The Arab-Irish Business Summit was organised by the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce with Board Bia (the Irish Food Board), Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More than 200 business leaders, policymakers and exporters gathered for the event, with Breeda McLoughlin a guest of honour. ✈
