O’Donovan (pictured) joins the likes of Baroness Karren Brady and Hilary Devey CBE in winning the Business Woman of the Year accolade, presented at the Women of the Year event in Birmingham.
The judges were impressed by her management, taking over as MD at the age of 19 and steering the business through two recessions while growing staff numbers. Under her leadership, O’Donovan Waste Disposal has become one of the South East’s leading waste management companies, turning over more than £19 million with 160 employees and an 85-strong fleet of trucks.
O’Donovan says: “It is an enormous honour to be awarded the Business Woman of the Year award and I am humbled by the recognition. The heritage and growth of the family business is incredibly close to my heart and I am delighted to represent them in the acceptance of this award.”
Judy Groves, awards chair, adds: “Jacqueline is an inspiration for women looking to make their mark in business, and to fulfil their potential. The work Jacqueline has been involved in to improve safety standards and stimulate innovation in the waste disposal industry is fantastic – truly inspiring.”
This is the fourth prize this year for Jacqueline: she has already picked up the Outstanding Woman in Construction award at the Women in Construction Awards in March, Achiever of the Year at the Constructing Excellence Awards in July and Outstanding Commitment to Innovation Award from the British Irish Trading Alliance in September.