Ireland’s Best Workplaces were recognised at the Great Place to Work Awards in Dublin last Wednesday, and there were celebrations at the Barry Group in Mallow when Managing Director Jim Barry was named Ireland’s Most Trusted Leader 2015. A surprise reception was held for Jim at company headquarters in Quartertown last Friday morning, when he was presented with a cake by Sarah Louise McSweeney and got a rousing cheer from staff. The award is judged following an employee survey, analysing the comments received from employees that relate to the leader and assessing the organisation’s culture to see if the leader has clearly made his mark on the culture.
The Barry Group was founded in 1955 by Jim’s father, James A Barry, and recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. Under Jim’s leadership the group has grown into a leading wholesale distribution and retail company, trading in Ireland and overseas, and employs 230 people while supplying 265 franchises under the Costcutter, Carry Out and Quik Pick brands, as well as many independent retailers and wholesalers based in Ireland.