Judging Panel
An independent panel of recognised and expert judges, representing the operational discipline, will determine the winners of the Operational Excellence Awards.
We understand the importance of a fair and objective judging process. That's why we assemble a prestigious panel of industry leaders, renowned for their extensive knowledge, enthusiasm, and expertise in business operations.
Our selection process is meticulous. Judges are bound by strict confidentiality agreements and declare any potential conflicts of interest. Entries with conflicts are reassigned, ensuring complete impartiality.
This unwavering commitment to integrity is the foundation of our awards programme. Become a part of recognising industry excellence. If you're interested in joining the judging panel, email your details to judges@businessriver.com
2026 Judging Panel
Brian Coll (Judging Coordinator)
Lecturer, Lean & Operational Excellence, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo
Brian is a lecturer and course co-ordinator for the Lean & OpEx programmes at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) - the largest provider of accredited Yellow, Green and Black Belt programmes in Ireland. VIEW MORE
Robert Burdock
Site Operational Excellence Lead - Ireland, IMIL - Ipsen Manufacturing Ireland Limited
Rob Burdock is the Site OpEx Lead who manages the implementation of the overall Enterprise Excellence strategy for the Ipsen Dublin site, in partnership with site management team. He is the lead in our preparation for the Shingo Assessment and ensures our culture is sustained. VIEW MORE
Steve Giles
Head of Operations, Aurivo consumer foods
Steve is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in leading operations within the FMCG sector, with a particular focus on the dairy industry. With a career spanning over 35 years, has consistently demonstrated a passion for optimizing processes and continuous improvement. VIEW MORE
Ian Gourlay
Founder of BP Solutions and Lecturer for SETU, Business Process Solutions
Ian worked for 10 years with Toyota Motor Corporation and holds a Master of Business in Lean Practice. He is an Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland Lean Service Provider, is on the steering committee of the Operational Excellence Association of Ireland and lectures in Operational Excellence for SETU. VIEW MORE
Alessandro Laureani
Lecturer, University of Buckingham
Operational Excellence and Business Transformation leader, researcher, lecturer, and published author in the fields of Leadership, Operational Excellence, Quality Management and Continuous improvement. VIEW MORE
Patrick Quinn
Head of Operations, Cheshire Ireland
The focus of Patrick’s work is the support Cheshire Ireland in their vision “to support people to live their best possible life”. As the Head of Operations, he aims to support their staff to work in line with the values of the organisation. VIEW MORE
.png)
