Major Wexford business is one of Ireland’s best managed companies – ‘Irish indigenous businesses continue to impress’

Kent Stainless is part of a group of businesses with a combined turnover of more than €22 billion and over 60,000 employees

The network of companies has a combined turnover of more than €22 billion and provide employment to over 62,000 people across a range of sectors from technology and healthcare to construction.

Kent Stainless, achieved gold status at having qualified for Ireland’s Best Managed Companies accolade for the fourth consecutive year.

A thorough judging process precedes the recognition each year, evaluating the entire management team and the business strategy of each company. The judges examine a wide range of areas when assessing Ireland’s top privately-owned businesses and consider each business’ strategic planning, governance standards, financial performance, in addition to each organisation’s culture, talent strategy and how they are innovating year on year.

“Congratulations to all winning companies on their achievement” said Brian Murphy, Lead Partner for Ireland’s Best Managed Companies Awards Programme.

“Irish indigenous businesses continue to impress, demonstrating unwavering resilience and commitment to excellence in an everchanging economic landscape. The Ireland’s Best Managed Companies programme recognises the significant contribution that these businesses make to our economy, our communities and our nation as a whole.

“As a vital part of our business ecosystem, it is essential that they are supported to grow and scale into the future, and the Best Managed programme hopes to support them as they do.”

A total of 107 companies requalified as a Best Managed Company. Eight of these achieved Gold Standard.

The judging panel included Business Post CEO Sarah Murphy, Dead of UCD Michael Smurfit Business School Professor Anthony Barbazon and Head of AIB Corporate Banking Glenn Shanley.

Mr Shanley said that “Ireland’s Best Managed Companies is a showcase of what we see daily in AIB, the incredible strength, ambition and resilience of our indigenous companies.

“The process is a celebration of strong management teams and the energy they bring to the business world. We can see many shared traits in the 2025 winners – for instance, a willingness to face challenges head on and turn them into opportunities, embedding sustainability as a priority, and creating a culture in which people are comfortable with sharing opinions and challenging each other. Congratulations to all winners, I wish them every success in the coming year.”

The Best Managed Companies programme is currently run in over 45 countries including China, The US, Southeast Asia, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Türkiye, Mexico, Chile, and launched this year in the UK.