Co Tyrone headquartered Mackle Petfoods, which has grown into one of Europe’s leading pet food manufacturers, was the big winner at the 2025 Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards, taking two of the night’s top awards.
The family-run business, founded in 1972 by John Mackle senior and which employs 275 staff, clinched wins in both the Best Place to Work and the Best Employee Development Programme categories.
Headquartered in Moy and Moygashel, Mackle manufactures 115 million units annually, exporting to 14 countries, with its flagship Naturo branch launched in 2013 now the number one natural wet pet food in retail, with annual sales exceeding £40m.
With a 90% employee recommendation rate and long-term staff retention – some exceeding 50 years – the judges seen Mackle Petfoods as more than a workplace, but a thriving, people-focused community and an exceptional place to work.
In their citation in the Best Place to Work category the judges – who were led by Tourism NI chair Ellvena Graham OBE – said: “Mackle Petfoods provided a strong presentation of an organisation deeply committed to its workplace – dynamic, inclusive and forward thinking whilst setting out the challenges of their environment.”
In the Best Employee Development Programme the judges said of Mackle: “This was a really strong submission, underlining genuine grassroots initiatives. Assessed the challenges facing the company and their employees and tailored a programme to meet those challenges. A company that cares for the development of its people.”
Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. (Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye/Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye )
This year, for the first time, the Workplace & Employment Awards has two new categories for individuals, honouring outstanding leaders who demonstrates exceptional vision, leadership, and influence within their organisation or industry.
Inaugural winner of the Business Leader of the Year (small business) category was Clare McGee from Awaken Hub, described as “a visionary leader delivering investment for women-led businesses”, while winner in the large category was Fiacre O’Donnell from bottle makers Encirc, who was described as “demonstrating passion and leadership, and setting a new industry standard”.
The Young Business Leaders of the Year (under-35), for both larger and small businesses, were respectively Connor Martin (JAQ Group), who has quickly scaled the business to 230 staff and has built an impressive turnover in short period of operation; and Martha Garbe from Basalt Distillery, who has developed a world-leading product and outlined ambitious plans for future developments.
The Workplace & Employment Awards – now in their 17th year and which were hosted by top comic and Q Radio breakfast presenter Andrew Ryan – continue to shine a spotlight on best workplace practices, providing a showcase for organisations to celebrate all that is good in the employment sector.
The full house at a glittering black tie dinner in Titanic Belfast was welcomed by Irish News editor-in-chief Chris Sherrard.
He said: “The Workplace & Employment Awards has become, by a distance, the largest initiative of its kind in our region.
“This year we had a huge number of entries in every category, with 64 different businesses from across the island of Ireland represented in our 11 categories, with 24 awards up for grabs tonight.
“Just to be nominated was a genuinely brilliant achievement, and I offer my congratulations to everyone on the short lists and, of course, particularly to tonight’s winners.”
Mr Sherrard also thanked the initiative’s business partners, who play a vital role in the continued success of the WEAs.
This year’s Gold partners were Carson McDowell, Options Technology and Queen’s University Belfast, while category sponsors were Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, Calibro Workspace, Finnebrogue, Miller Hospitality, NI Chamber, nijobfinder, Open College Network NI and Thompson Aero Seating.
Titanic Belfast continues to be venue partner, while the events drinks sponsors were Diageo Ireland and Heron Bros.
Also addressing guests, Stormont economy minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: “These awards showcase our immensely talented workforce and the many businesses across the north who create the conditions to support their workers to thrive.”
Full details on the awards, including pictures from the gala celebration night, are at www.irishnews.com/wea, while the Irish News will be publishing a special WEA supplement on Thursday June 12.
