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UCD Business Alumni of the Year 2010

Date: 26 Apr 2010

Fri, 23rd April 2010 saw influential business leaders from across the globe gather to honour Michael Carey, Executive Chairman of Jacob Fruitfield Food Group and Aidan Heavey, CEO of Tullow Oil, as UCD Business Alumni of the Year at the inaugural Alumni Awards 2010 fundraising dinner. The awards, which are the highest honour UCD School of Business can bestow on a graduate, recognise alumni that have demonstrated proven leadership skills, notable achievement in business and a significant contribution to the community, whether in Ireland or abroad. 

Pictured above l-r: Award winners Aidan Heavey and Michael Carey.

Profits from this fundraising dinner will go towards the UCD Business Scholarship Fund which supports students who might not otherwise have access to third and fourth-level education.  In particular it focuses on doctoral studies to develop the academic excellence that is so vital for today’s knowledge economy.

Speaking on this year’s winners, Professor Tom Begley, Dean of UCD School of Business, says, “We are delighted to honour Michael Carey and Aidan Heavey as our 2010 Alumni of the Year. Not only have they had considerable impact within their individual industries, they have also shown great spirit and dedication to social initiatives. We hope our students recognise our winners as an inspiration and strive to emulate their determination and success.”

Michael Carey began his entrepreneurial life when he acquired Fruitfield Foods in July 2002, just a week short of his 40th birthday.  He turned the company around, taking it from losses of around €2 million a year to a profitable business within just six months.  Last year, Jacob Fruitfield, with leading Irish brands including Fig Rolls, Chef, Kimberley, Mikado, Fruitfield, Club Milk and Silvermints, had a turnover of €110 million.

Genuinely surprised by the win, Michael says it’s an honour to receive this award.  “The influence of UCD graduates on Irish business is extraordinary and standing among peers and previous winners of this award such as Gina Quin, Tony Garry and Liam FitzGerald is a privilege,” says Michael.

Aidan Heavey established Tullow Oil in 1985 and since then has developed it into Europe’s leading Independent oil and gas exploration company. Tullow is now listed on the prestigious FTSE 100 and has a market capitalisation in excess of £10.8bn.   With no experience in the Industry Aidan acquired his first oil prospects in Africa in 1986.  Tullow now holds some of the most attractive oil prospects in the world, most notably in Ghana and Uganda.  Tullow Oil currently operates in 23 countries and employs over 500 people.  Acknowledging the accolade and the importance of his time at UCD Aidan said; “The lessons I learned in UCD gave me a tremendous grounding in business thinking and of the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise.”

Michael, who graduated with an MBS from UCD Smurfit School in 1984, will be awarded the UCD Smurfit School Alumnus of the Year while Aidan, who graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1973, will be awarded the UCD Quinn School Alumnus of the Year in front of 350 guests expected to attend the Alumni Awards Dinner.

Recent graduates, Mary Lyng and Michael McSweeney, will also be awarded at the dinner.  Mary, who studied a Masters in Accounting will be named UCD Smurfit School Student of the Year while Michael, a Bachelor of Commerce graduate, will be named the UCD Quinn School Student of the Year.

Both awardees are very pleased to receive this mark of distinction. Mary, who also received the prestigious UCD Quinn School award last year for ranking among the top 25 students in the School, said: “I’m delighted to have won this award – it really is a privilege and an honour to receive this kind of recognition from UCD.”