Sponsored by Cooper Software, this year’s Causeway Business Awards Celebrations were attended by approximately 250 business leaders, from a variety of sectors, from across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The annual Causeway Awards are a high-profile annual event that showcase and celebrate business successes and trading triumphs from both sides of the Irish Sea, with keynote guest speeches on the evening from Scottish Government’s Ivan McKee, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Irish Government’s Consul General of Ireland to Scotland, Jane McCulloch and the Depute Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Councillor Joan Griffiths MBE.

Headquartered in Cork and with an additional office in Edinburgh, Simply Blue Group works within the renewable offshore energy and aquaculture sectors, collaborating with partners in a variety of sustainable projects, including floating offshore wind energy in the North Sea and low-impact salmon farming in its JV Loch Long Salmon.  It is also currently investigating the opportunity for wave energy sites in Scotland and floating wind energy in Northern Ireland.

Simply Blue Group won the Sustainable Business of the Year Award against other business finalists from across Ireland, Scotland and beyond who were shortlisted in this category, with the award on the night presented to the Simply Blue Group team by award sponsors, Gary Kelly and John Kerrigan of Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon. 

Commenting on receiving the prize, Simply Blue Group’s Co-Founder and Director, Hugh Kelly said:

“We are thrilled and proud that we won the Sustainable Business of the Year Award at the Causeway Awards held in Edinburgh. As with everything we do at Simply Blue Group, this was a company-wide effort from our teams in Scotland, Northern Ireland, UK and Ireland.

“We are proud to be part of a global movement focussed on the development of marine resources to reduce carbon, ensure energy security, and produce sustainable sources of protein, whilst promoting marine conservation and coexisting with other users of the sea. We are dedicated to working with the oceans to develop blue growth strategies and fight climate change, creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

Chair of Causeway: Ireland Scotland Business Exchange, David Greenlees added: 

“The strength of our Causeway membership network lies in bringing people closer together and creating new business opportunities. We represent an established and effective group of business leaders in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland and our annual Awards are an opportunity to showcase and recognise the outstanding achievements of the businesses and people in our network. 

“This award celebrates a business that has put the climate emergency and sustainable strategies at the core of their business and has demonstrated a commitment to operating in a low carbon economy, running green programmes and providing sustainable services and products. We congratulate Simply Blue Group on their well-deserved achievement and wish them well in their continued success across Ireland and Scotland.”