A committee of Trinity Business School faculty, together with Trinity Business Alumni (TBA), have chosen a winner for Business Student of the Year for the past 29 years. The criteria for winning this award includes a demonstration in excellence in all four categories: academics, leadership, contribution to society, and resilience.

This year, three finalists were selected: Jane Brazil (Law and Business), Rachel Nally (BESS), and Aoife Mullan (Global Business).  After interviews with Professor Andrew Burke (Dean of Trinity Business School), Ruth O’Leary (Postgraduate Careers Manager), and Colm Freeman (EY Director and Trinity MBA alumnus), they chose one student who stood out as superlative in all four categories.

Headshot for Business Student of the Year winner 2023

Aoife Mullan, winner of the Business Student of the Year 2023, is a Global Business student who achieved a first in all four years of her degree. While at Trinity she served as Senior Analyst, Public Relations Officer, and then Chief Operating Officer of the Trinity Student Managed Fund and hosted numerous events with leaders from Irish business and politics. She was also the Publications Officer of the Trinity Hall Junior Common Room and won first place in the Irish Tax Institute Essay Competition with her sustainability-focused essay analysing the 2022 budget.

When asked about winning the award, Aoife said, “I’m very honoured to receive this award and am especially delighted to have been nominated alongside fellow students who have accomplished so much during their time in Trinity. Studying at Trinity Business School has been a fantastic experience due to the many opportunities I’ve had and the people I’ve met. Thank you very much to all at Trinity Business School and Trinity Business Alumni for this recognition- it’s a brilliant end to an equally brilliant four years!”

Our two finalists also demonstrated excellence in all categories (in alphabetical order):  

BSOY 2023 runner up Jane Brazil

Jane Brazil is a Foundation Scholar and has achieved a first in all four years of her Law and Business degree, winning prizes for highest overall results in her second and third years. She is Editor-in-Chief of the Trinity Business Review, as well as a contributor to the Trinity College Law Review. She was Class Representative to the Students Union as well as playing violin in the Trinity Orchestra, having played previously in the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. Most recently, she took part in McKinsey’s Next Generation Women Leaders Programme in London, and the Washington-Ireland Programme as a Forum Fellow. 

Jane learned a lot about herself from the competition: "As a finalist of Trinity Business Student of the Year, I have had the opportunity to reflect on my time as a student in Trinity Business School. The personal growth and development fostered as a student in Trinity Business School has been invaluable and has provided me with the confidence and capabilities needed to bring about real change for good.”

BSOY 2023 runner up Rachel Nally

Rachel Nally is a Trinity BESS student majoring in Business with a minor in politics. She is the President of the Dublin University Business and Economics Society (DUBES) and has organised many successful activities, such as the BESS Ball, and recently chaired a panel at the Trinity Business Forum. Rachel has contributed to Women in Leadership in many ways, through the Women Who Wow mentorship programme, and as the Diversity and Inclusion Officer in Trinity’s Young Fine Gael.

When asked about the competition, Rachel said, “I have really enjoyed reflecting on the significant changes I have undergone since arriving as a 2019 Fresher. In addition to 4 years with the best society in Trinity College (DUBES), participating in a semester exchange to Singapore, and stepping into the ring for a Movember Boxing Fundraiser, I have had the time of my life and made the best of friends. It has been an incredible honour to be considered alongside Jane and Aoife! Thank you to Niamh for my nomination and to Ruth, Colm, Barry and all at TBS and Trinity Business Alumni for your consideration.”

Congratulations to our three winners! These students will receive their awards on the 12 April at 6.30 PM in the Dargan Theatre of Trinity Business School.