A hat designer favoured by Lady Gaga, a financial brokerage with 300 clients and a thriving new cleaning and maintenance service, are just three of the 18 finalists through to the Irish Local Development Network CLG (ILDN) National Enterprise Awards on May 16.

Figures produced for FBD Financial Solutions by Irish Life show €2.8m was paid in respect of death claims on the lives of 35 farmers last year, and a further €884,000 went to 14 farmers for specified illness cover claims.

HAVING considered current trading conditions, FBD Holdings sees no reason to change its earlier earnings forecasts for 2011.