ByrneWallace shortlisted for Best Community Programme

ByrneWallace is pleased to announce that the firm has been shortlisted for Best Community Programme in the Managing Partners Forum Annual Management Excellence Awards.

Now in its 18th year, the Annual Management Partners Forum Awards celebrates management’s contribution to the business, its clients and community, and is organised by the Managing Partners Forum in conjunction with Harvard Business Review and The Financial Times. 

ByrneWallace has been recognised for making a significant contribution to their community through their active participation in Solas Project.

Solas Project is a not-for-profit organisation that helps young people overcome social and educational disadvantage, empowering them to reach their full potential and further their education. Through a diverse range of innovative interventions and programmes of learning, mentoring, personal and social development, including after-school and school-based programmes, Solas Project aims to raise the self-worth, character and motivation of a young person so that they can create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

Since 2014, ByrneWallace has been a corporate partner of Solas Project. To date, over 60% of ByrneWallace staff, from all levels of the organisations, have volunteered in the various Solas Project programmes, and had an opportunity to directly impact the lives of over 630 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Commenting on being shortlisted for this Award, Managing Partner Feargal Brennan said, “Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of the ethos of ByrneWallace. As a firm, we are committed to ensuring that we contribute to and benefit the communities and the environment in which we work, and we are united in a shared belief that we can and should make a real difference to our community.”

Mark Kavanagh, partner and Head of ByrneWallace Banking & Finance who leads the firm’s CSR Group,  said, “We have a particular interest in supporting community-based projects which address certain social issues such as promoting children’s education, and also provide opportunities for sustained staff participation. Active volunteerism allows staff make a real impact in their communities. It also helps bring together staff from across all areas of the firm to achieve a common goal, thus helping to cement a stronger sense of collegiality and team spirit, promoting greater camaraderie and collaboration across teams. 

“As a firm, we are very privileged to have this opportunity to work closely with Solas Project. Every year we are oversubscribed with requests from staff to volunteer which is a testament to the positive impact and experience participation has had both on our staff and on the lives of the children we have helped mentor and develop." 

CEO of Solas Project Eddie D’Arcy commented, “ByrneWallace have tirelessly supported the work of Solas Project for 5 years and we are delighted to see them recognised for their contribution to their local community. Their spirit of volunteerism is seen at every level in the firm. They have had a valuable and tangible impact on many young people living in the surrounding communities. We are very grateful for their continued support and many thanks to the Managing Partners Forum for shortlisting Byrne Wallace for their work with Solas Project.’

Mark Kavanagh further added, “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for Best Community Programme, and would like to thank Managing Partners Forum for recognising our staff’s ongoing commitment and contribution to Solas Project.”  

Pictured L-R: Amy Carey, Cultivation Manager and Amy Ryan, Youth Cultivator at Solas Project with Mark Kavanagh partner and Head of Banking & Finance and Head of the ByrneWallace CSR Group.