John Field of Field's SuperValu in Skibbereen is to be honoured with a special ‘Outstanding West Cork Business Ambassador' award.
JOHN Field of Field’s SuperValu in Skibbereen is to be honoured with a special ‘Outstanding West Cork Business Ambassador’ award at this year’s Southern Star West Cork Business and Tourism Awards, which are sponsored by Cork County Council, in association with AIB. The prestigious title, which last year was awarded to Colette Twomey of Clonakilty Black Pudding, goes to an individual who has made a significant and extraordinary contribution to business life in West Cork, according to the independent panel of judges.
John Field has, for decades, been the driving force behind a number of projects to better the town and keep people in the region by creating employment.
Outside of the award-winning SuperValu, where he employs a team of 200, he was instrumental in setting up Ludgate, the 1GB hub which generates over €4.2m a year for the local economy and has created 54 new jobs directly and 38 indirectly. Ludgate Two is set to open next year in the town, with 100 desks.
John is also involved in the very successful West Cork Distillers in the town, which employs 85 people.
The father-of-five works six days in the supermarket and is a familiar sight stacking shelves or packing bags.
‘I’m not an office person. I like being on the floor and I like dealing with customers,’ he said.
Seán Mahon, managing director of The Southern Star said: ‘John is without doubt a very worthy recipient of this award, due to the significant and important contribution to local business life he has made over 47 years. Congratulations, John!’
Cork county mayor Christopher O’Sullivan will present John with his award at a ceremony in the Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa on November 29th.
For profiles of all this year’s awards finalists and sponsors, see The Southern Star’s special West Cork Business & Tourism Awards 2019 supplement in next week’s paper.
