DS Automobiles Ireland were so proud to return as sponsor of the IMAGE Media PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2024.
The premier celebration of exceptional female business leaders in Ireland, these awards not only champion and celebrate our finest businesswomen, but inspire the future leaders of tomorrow.
DS Automobiles proudly presented the Sustainability Champion of the Year award to Dr. Val Cummins of Simply Blue Group for her stellar work in the marine and energy fields. Dr. Cummins is one of Ireland’s most accomplished individuals in the sustainability sphere. Over a 25-year career to date, she has led different roles in the marine, energy and ESG space and has an abundance of academic accomplishments, including a BSc in Marine Geography, an MSc in Zoology and a PhD in Coastal Management.
She’s an Eisenhower Fellow, and has participated in Women in Leadership executive training at Harvard University. Through her work as a senior lecturer in UCC for over 20 years, she supports future leaders in the space to flourish. Val has been with the Simply Blue Group for four years, where she holds the positions of Chief Impact Officer as well as Ireland Portfolio Director, responsible for the ESG impact of projects, including offshore wind, wave, sustainable fuel, marine food and biodiversity initiatives.
Speaking on the night, Val said: “I am honoured with this award and it is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the importance of sustainability. And for me, in particular, to draw attention to the whole issue of our oceans when addressing climate change. In Ireland, in particular, we have incredible marine resources . . . and we have an incredible opportunity to try and harness that energy, and develop, I suppose holding ecosystems of enterprise in the periphery coastal communities, as well as reaching those very, very challenging climate targets that we have set. So this award is a wonderful opportunity to draw attention to that. But also, this award is something that is hopefully something my three girls will be a little bit tickled by. I’m just dying to go home and tell them about it and hopefully, they might be a little bit inspired.”
Having sponsored the prestigious IMAGE Business Club since 2022, it was our pleasure to further our commitment to supporting the finest female business leaders Ireland has to offer. The IMAGE Business Club is a space for Irish businesswomen to connect, to learn, to inspire and to celebrate success.
