OO competes for top title

30-year-old optometrist and practice owner from Ballycastle, Northern Ireland has been awarded a place in the final of the Eircom Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

Emma Richmond (right) of Emma Richmond Opticians was considered by a panel of business experts to be one of the most successful and inspirational young entrepreneurs in the region since she opened her practice in 2007.

Darren Lemon, general manager of Eircom in Northern Ireland, said: ‘Entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of the Northern Ireland economy and we, as a young innovative company, are delighted to help young people develop their ideas.’

Richmond will now compete with seven other finalists for the 2009 Eircom Young Entrepreneur of the Year title which will be presented at an awards ceremony in the Hilton Hotel, Belfast on December 3.