Barry Leahey MBE, president of Playdale Playgrounds has been honoured with a long service award for his leadership, resilience and dedication to the business.
Mr Leahey originally joined the business as marketing and sales director and has led Playdale Playgrounds to become a global leader in playground design, manufacturing, and installation, with playgrounds in 51 countries.
The firm has designed, manufactured, and installed over 25,000 playgrounds in the UK and around the world for over 45 years since launching in 1978.
Over the past 20 years Mr Leahey has also helped SMEs to navigate challenges and achieve success as a non-executive director at the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, mentoring business leaders in sectors such as manufacturing and construction.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Leahey implemented measures to prioritise the well-being of Playdale Playgrounds’ employees across the North West, facilitating remote working and supporting the team to ensure their safety and welfare.
His commitment to improvement and innovation led to the development of PlayClean during the pandemic.
This initiative introduced a robust, touch-free, weatherproof, and vandal-resistant hand sanitiser station for both outdoor and indoor playgrounds.
Mr Leahey’s efforts were acknowledged when he received the Lord Mayor’s COVID-19 Livery Award from the City of London in 2021, recognising his contributions during the pandemic.
He was also named runner-up for the Great Britain Business Leader of the Year at the Great British Business Awards in 2023 and received the Board of Trade Award from the Department of International Trade in 2019.
Mr Leahey was awarded an MBE for services to UK Trade and Exports from the Queen in 2017.
“Over the past two decades, it has been an absolute joy to witness both the incredible growth of our dedicated team and the evolution of our company, selling fun worldwide.
“Every minute has been a remarkable journey, cherishing the development of both individuals and our brand, as we’ve spread laughter and happiness across the globe,” he said.
