Two members of Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, headquartered at University of Limerick, have been announced as International Business Awards® winners 2024.

Known as "the International Stevies", the International Business Awards® are open to all organisations worldwide. This year, more than 3,600 nominations from organisations of all sizes across 62 nations were submitted for consideration in a wide range of categories.

Nicola Corless, Communications and Marketing Manager at Lero, was named the winner of a Silver Stevie® Award in the Communications Professional of the Year category while Professor Martin Glavin, Lero Funded Investigator, was awarded a Bronze Stevie® in the Thought Leader of The Year - Government or Non-Profit category the 21st annual International Business Awards®. Nicola is based at University of Limerick and Martin is Head of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University of Galway.

Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 300 executives worldwide who participated in the judging process in June and July.

Judges commended Nicola for her “exceptional skills and dedication” with one judge noting "her significant contributions to Lero, demonstrating her strategic impact, innovative approach, and measurable successes in enhancing the organisation's media presence and engagement”.

According to another member of the judging committee, “Professor Martin Glavin stands out as a deserving candidate for the Thought Leader of the Year - Government or Non-Profit award due to his significant contributions to public discourse on road safety and technology. Beyond his extensive academic publishing and teaching, Prof. Glavin has demonstrated a robust commitment to engaging with the wider public and policymakers”.

Lero is a previous winner at the International Business Awards® having won a Silver for its re-brand at last year’s awards, while Nicola has previously won Gold and a Silver for her public relations work with University of Limerick in 2017.  “Lero has built an outstanding reputation over the years and our members are key pillars of that. Both Nicola and Martin are leaders in their fields who continue to be invaluable to Lero and winning these internationally recognised awards showcases this” said Lero Director Professor Lionel Briand.