The Irish Times has announced Smurfit Westrock President and CEO Tony Smurfit as the 2024 'Business Person of the Year.'

It followed on from him winning 'Irish Times Business Person of the Month' in July when Smurfit Kappa and WestRock combined to become the largest packaging company in the world. Smurfit Westrock made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange on 8th July following the historic transaction.

All twelve 2024 Business Person of the Month award winners were in the running for the overall top award which was announced at the Mansion House in Dublin last night.

While Tony was not able to attend the event in person due to travel commitments, he expressed his appreciation in a video that was played at the award.

"I am so honoured to speak to you as the Irish Times Business Person of the Year. Thank you to the judging panel for selecting me for this award but most of all I would like to thank all my colleagues in the Smurfit Westrock organisation.

"We have 100,000 people across the world; there is a great executive team and I have a great board who support our ambitions. Our transformation journey from being a very small box plant in Rathmines to being the largest paper and packaging company in the world operating in 40 countries is quite remarkable. Smurfit Westrock, I believe, is one of the great companies of the world."

Smurfit Westrock Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Ken Bowles accepted the award on Tony's behalf from the Taoiseach Mícheal Martin.