Pictured at the All-Ireland Business Foundation Awards, where Paul Allen received the Award as “Media and Public Affairs Business Person of the Year 2026, was (L-R): Dr. Briga Hynes, All-Ireland Business Foundation Adjudication Board Chairperson, Paul Allen, founder of Paul Allen & Associates PR, and Henry Shefflin, Director & Co-Founder at Shefflin O’Neill
Communications and Public Affairs Professional Says Success Is Built on Persistence, Trust and Relationships
Award winning communications and public affairs professional Paul Allen has been honoured by the All-Ireland Business Foundation for the fifth consecutive year as Media and Public Affairs Businessperson of the Year, describing the achievement as “humbling, emotional and a reminder never to give up!”
Accepting the award before an audience of Irish business leaders and entrepreneurs, Allen reflected on a career spanning more than three decades in public relations, public affairs and crisis communications, while paying tribute to his clients, colleagues, family and friends who have supported him throughout his professional journey.
Allen said: “There will be setbacks. There will be disappointments. There will be moments when success feels distant and the obstacles seem overwhelming. But persistence has a remarkable way of turning adversity into opportunity. Every achievement worth having requires resilience, determination, and the courage to keep moving forward when others might stop or give up.”
Paul Allen, founder of Paul Allen & Associates PR, said the recognition was particularly meaningful because it represented not only professional success but the trust placed in him by clients and stakeholders over many years.
Reflecting on the changing communications landscape, Allen noted that while technology and artificial intelligence are transforming business, the fundamentals of success remain unchanged.
“In a world increasingly dominated by technology, algorithms and artificial intelligence, the greatest currency remains trust. Relationships matter. Listening matters and showing up matters.”
Allen told guests that the most important opportunities in his career resulted from personal connections built over time.
“The best opportunities I have ever received came from conversations, a coffee, a phone call, a handshake and relationships not built over a team’s call.”
Drawing on lessons learned throughout his career, Allen stressed that no business leader succeeds alone and acknowledged the contribution of mentors, colleagues, clients, and family members who support entrepreneurs behind the scenes.
“Behind every successful businessperson is somebody who believed in them, encouraged them and helped them through difficult times.”
Looking ahead, Allen expressed optimism about Ireland’s future despite global uncertainty, economic challenges and rapid technological change.
“Ireland is filled with talented, innovative and resilient people. The future belongs to those who continue to believe in themselves, continue to invest in relationships and continue to see opportunity where others see obstacles.”
Concluding his remarks, Allen challenged fellow business leaders to think beyond traditional measures of success.
“Success is not simply about revenue, awards or headlines. Success is whether people are better off because you were involved. Whether clients succeeded because of your advice. Whether communities improved because you cared enough to help.”
Allen dedicated the award to the clients, colleagues, friends and his late parents who have supported him throughout his career and thanked the All-Ireland Business Foundation for its continued recognition of Irish business excellence.
