Dublin, Friday, April 22nd, 2016:  Ciaran Murray, ICON, and Julie O'Neill, Alexion, are to be honoured this evening at the UCD Business Alumni of the Year 2016 awards fundraising dinner at the InterContinental Hotel, Dublin. 

Pictured above: Ciaran Murray, ICON, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Dean, UCD Business, Julie O'Neill, Alexion

Murray and O’Neill join a list of prominent business graduates of UCD’s Smurfit post graduate and Quinn under graduate schools who have been previously honoured including Breege O’Donoghue, Director, Primark; Aidan Brady, CEO, Citibank Europe plc and Citi Country Officer, Ireland; Siobhan Talbot, Group Managing Director, Glanbia plc; Caroline Casey, CEO, Kanchi; Alan Ennis, CEO, Revlon Group; Patrick Kennedy, CEO, Paddy Power; Senator Feargal Quinn, founder of Superquinn; Gina Quin, CEO, Dublin Chamber of Commerce; Aidan Heavey, Tullow Oil; Michael Carey, Jacob Fruitfield; Tony Garry, Davy Stockbrokers; Liam Fitzgerald, United Drug, and Vivienne Jupp, Accenture, among others.

The Alumni Awards, which have been running since 1991, are the highest honour UCD Business bestows upon its graduates, recognising alumni who have demonstrated proven leadership skills, notable achievement in business and a significant contribution to the community, whether in Ireland or abroad.

Speaking of this year’s winners, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Dean, UCD Business, said, “For over 100 years, UCD College of Business has educated leaders that have shaped the practice of business both here in Ireland and around the world. Since 1991, the School has celebrated and recognised the business achievements and success of our graduates through the ‘Alumni of the Year’ awards. We are delighted to honour Ciaran Murray and Julie O'Neill as our 2016 Alumni of the Year. Both are passionate about the pharmaceutical sector and have been innovative in their actions within their organisations, earning them a high level of respect. Both clearly demonstrate extraordinary leadership and a high level of personal and professional integrity. These are just some of the characteristics we ask our students to aspire to as future business leaders. Ciaran and Julie have earned this recognition and we take great pride in their success.”

The Alumni of the Year Awards Dinner is sponsored by Tullow Oil and all profits raised will be donated to the UCD College of Business Centennial Scholarship Fund, supporting the next generation of business leaders.

View highlights from the awards here.