Bennett Freehill Shortlisted for Two Prestigious Belfast Telegraph Business Awards!

We are thrilled to announce that Bennett Freehill has been shortlisted in not one, but TWO categories in the prestigious 2025 Belfast Telegraph Business Awards in partnership with Ulster Bank!

Our nominations include:

Best Small Business of the Year
This category recognises outstanding small companies in Northern Ireland that demonstrate excellence in business performance and impact.

Excellence in the Development of Management & Leadership
This category acknowledges our sustained commitment to business improvement through effective leadership and management techniques.

Cormac Freehill, Managing Partner at Bennett Freehill, said:

“Being recognised among Northern Ireland’s business elite is a testament to our team’s dedication and hard work. We’re honoured to stand alongside some of the region’s most innovative and successful companies.”

Mark Crimmins, Regional Managing Director at headline sponsor Ulster Bank, said:

“As ever, I was impressed by the calibre of entries to the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards which maintain a high standard every year. These entries tell a positive story of the innovation, resilience and ambition demonstrated by Northern Ireland businesses and those who have been successful to make the shortlist should feel very proud.”

Clare Guinness, Chief Executive of Belfast Chamber and Chair of the judging panel, added:

“Year on year the judging panel is blown away by the initiatives and performance of our business community and we look forward to celebrating with the finalists and winners at the ceremony in May.”

Thank you to our incredible team, loyal clients and supportive partners who have contributed to our success story to date. This recognition fuels our passion to continue delivering exceptional service and leadership.

The awards ceremony on 1st May will be a celebration of business excellence across Northern Ireland, and we’re looking forward to an inspiring evening with fellow nominees.

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Paul O'Neill

MIET CEng MEng

Paul joined Bennett Freehill in late-2021 as part of the organisations drive towards technical excellence, an employee-focused culture, strategic growth and NZEB focus. 

A Chartered Engineer with 14 years’ experience in the construction and electrical industries, Paul has particular specialisms in electrical engineering, conservation, power generation and vertical transportation having worked on projects in the education, healthcare, hotels and office sectors. 

As electrical engineering design lead, Paul is responsible for technical delivery and project responsibility related to electrical engineering, and more critically, directing technical, quality and standards within the engineering teams.

Paul brings his passion for technical quality, buildability, progressivity and efficiency to the Bennett Freehill team.

Aaron McCarthy

MCIBSE CEng BEng

Aaron is a Chartered Engineer who specialises in sustainability and low carbon design, with detailed knowledge of passive design techniques and thermal modelling procedures.

Aaron joined Bennett Freehill in mid-2021, having previously gained 10 years’ experience as an Energy and Building Services design engineer within leading multi-national building services practices. Aaron brings extensive experience in managing and delivering large scale multi-disciplinary projects and has a wealth of experience in MEP Project Management.

Aaron is responsible for client liaison, technical delivery and management of design teams to ensure we meet our clients aspirations.

Aaron brings his passion and drive for successful project delivery through collaboration with clients and design teams.

In May 2022 Aaron was appointed as Partner.

Cormac Freehill

MCIBSE MIET CEng MSc BEng

A Chartered Building Services Engineer with over 15 years’ experience working with some of the UK’s foremost engineering companies, Cormac has been pivotal to the successful award and delivery of multi-million pound projects since being appointed to the role of Managing Director in June 2020 and rebranding the business as Bennett Freehill.

Cormac brings a new vision, new energy and fresh leadership to the team and is responsible for the strategic growth and development of the business, through supporting and undertaking marketing activities, and the training and development of our technically accomplished staff.  In the role of design team leader and client liaison Cormac ensures that the team delivers pioneering, pragmatic MEP design excellence for our clients. 

Cormac specialises in Passivhaus and Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NZEB) construction and is passionate about, and professionally skilled in, Renewable Energy Systems, Energy, Procurement, Design Management and Consulting Engineering.

Cormac Freehill

MCIBSE MIET CEng MSc BEng

A Chartered Building Services Engineer with over 15 years’ experience working with some of the UK’s foremost engineering companies, Cormac has been pivotal to the successful award and delivery of multi-million pound projects since being appointed to the role of Managing Director in June 2020 and rebranding the business as Bennett Freehill.

Cormac brings a new vision, new energy and fresh leadership to the team and is responsible for the strategic growth and development of the business, through supporting and undertaking marketing activities, and the training and development of our technically accomplished staff.  In the role of design team leader and client liaison Cormac ensures that the team delivers pioneering, pragmatic MEP design excellence for our clients. 

Cormac specialises in Passivhaus and Nearly Zero-Energy Building (NZEB) construction and is passionate about, and professionally skilled in, Renewable Energy Systems, Energy, Procurement, Design Management and Consulting Engineering.