Meet the Judges of the 2025 Operational Excellence Awards

The 2025 Operational Excellence Awards will soon bring together the brightest minds and most innovative achievements in operational excellence. At the heart of this process is a rigorous and impartial judging panel, carefully selected to ensure the highest standards of evaluation. This year, the independent panel of judges comprises six renowned leaders in the field, each bringing distinct expertise and decades of experience in their respective disciplines.

Eric Clinton – Director, DCU National Centre for Family Business, DCU

Dr. Eric Clinton serves as the Director of the DCU National Centre for Family Business and is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at DCU Business School. With a specialized focus on succession planning, Eric collaborates with some of Europe’s top family businesses to drive success through generations.

Paul Davis – Associate Professor, Dublin City University

Dr. Paul Davis transitioned from a 15-year career in senior supply management roles to academia, where he has become a leading figure in procurement and supply chain management. Now an Associate Professor at Dublin City University, he continues to advance the field through research and education.

Steve Giles – Head of Operations, Aurivo Consumer Foods

Boasting over 35 years of experience in the FMCG sector, Steve Giles leads operations at Aurivo Consumer Foods. His vast expertise lies in optimizing processes and spearheading continuous improvement initiatives, particularly within the dairy industry.

Miriam Keogh – Head of Supply Chain, Lean, and HR, Dawn Farm Foods Ltd

Miriam Keogh’s extensive career revolves around supply chain management, HR, and lean continuous improvement. Armed with an MSc in Supply Chain Management and a Lean Black Belt certification, she is an advocate for sustainable solutions and high-performing teams.

Seamus O'Reilly – Senior Lecturer, UCC

Dr. Seamus O’Reilly is a Senior Lecturer and Academic Director of Supply Chain Management programs at University College Cork. His research focuses on supply chain sustainability, networks, and business process management, making him a key thought leader in this domain.

Patrick Quinn – Head of Operations, Cheshire Ireland

Patrick Quinn leads operational efforts at Cheshire Ireland, supporting the organization’s vision of enabling individuals to achieve their best possible life. His leadership emphasizes values-based operations and staff empowerment.

Integrity at the Core of Judging

The judging process for the Operational Excellence Awards is designed with transparency and fairness in

mind. Each judge is bound by strict confidentiality agreements and must disclose any potential conflicts of interest. Entries with conflicts are removed and reassigned to maintain impartiality throughout.

By assembling a panel of distinguished professionals, the awards continue to uphold their commitment tocelebrating the leaders and teams driving excellence across industries.

To learn more about the 2025 awards or to explore participation opportunities, visit Operational Excellence Awards.