Success for Clare company at National Enterprise Awards

Shannon-based Get the Shifts Ltd. has won the Best Start Up Business Award at the 2018 National Enterprise Awards in a competition organised by the Local Enterprise Offices at the Mansion House, Dublin.

Backed by Local Enterprise Office Clare, Get the Shifts is an online staffing solutions business which matches temporary hospitality workers with relevant employers across Ireland using an on demand web and mobile platform. The announcement was made yesterday evening in the Mansion House by the Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen T.D.

Minister Breen said: “The National Enterprise Awards are a fitting way to recognise the contribution of Ireland’s most innovative, strategic and adaptive businesses, and to put their success stories into the national spotlight as an example to others.  I would like to congratulate all the micro-enterprises and small businesses that are being celebrated.”

“This year’s winners, like all those in previous years, represent the backbone of Ireland’s enterprise success and contribute hugely to the economic vibrancy of their respective regions.  All this year’s finalists and winners have been supported by my Department through the Local Enterprise Office network.  I would like to pay tribute to the hard work and vision of the network, and would encourage those with business ideas to get in touch with their local office for expert guidance and advice,” added Minister Breen.

Congratulating Hannah Wrixon and Gillian Wrixon Rijke of Get the Shifts Ltd., Mayor of Clare Tom McNamara said, “Start-up companies like Get the Shifts Ltd. are at the leading edge of the economic growth and development of Clare. This award success is further evidence of the strong spirit of entrepreneurial activity underway in the county and that local business people are capable of generating a range of new business ideas and consequently, new employment opportunities for the wider community."

Liam Conneally, Director of Economic Development, Clare County Council, commented, "This awards scheme further illustrates that Local Enterprise Office Clare is in the front line in delivering business growth and jobs, providing direct support and pulling together all the players – agencies, the local authority and the private sector – to support everyone with a good business idea and strengthen the enterprise sector in Clare. I want to congratulate Get the Shifts Ltd. for flying the flag for business across Clare.”

Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Clare, said:  “The National Enterprise Awards are an annual celebration of the achievements of Ireland’s small businesses and it is great to see a business like Get the Shifts Ltd. getting recognition for their innovation and success they have achieved so quickly in their chosen sector. This award recognises that their services have the potential to grow internationally and become a market leader. Local Enterprise Office Clare is proud to support and facilitate Get The Shifts Ltd on their successful growth journey.”

The Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities celebrated ‘20 Years of Winners’ at this year’s National Enterprise Awards, which was originally set up in 1998 to celebrate the achievements of Ireland’s micro-enterprises and small businesses.

Page last reviewed: 25/05/18

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