Bobby Kerr (businessman)
Encyclopedia
Bobby Kerr is an Irish
entrepreneur and businessman. He is the Chairman of Insomnia Coffee Company
. Recently he was a dragon on the Irish
version of Dragons' Den
produced by Raidió Teilifís Éireann
.
Catering Ballsbridge
. For two years he worked at the North Sea oil
rigs, before working for Versa Food Services in Canada
in 1984. While in Canada Kerr held Assistant Catering Manager positions in the CNE Stadium Toronto, Ottawa Civic Centre
, Crystal Beach Amusement Park and African Lion Safari
and coordinated the catering for Pope John Paul II's
visit to Canada in 1985 for one million people.
When he returned to Ireland in 1986 Kerr, took the position of Assistant Manager in Jury's Hotel Ballsbridge. He then took up the role of Catering Manager for Campbell Catering in UCC from 1987-1989. He took up various roles in Campbell Catering, then moving on to business and marketing for Contract Catering Company. In 1992, Kerr took on the role of Managing Director Bewleys Oriental Café, Bewleys Franchising and Bewleys Bakery.
In 1997 Kerr became Director of Development Campbell Bewley Group with responsibility for the overseas development of the Bewley Brand in the United Kingdom
, USA and Japan
. In 1999 Kerr set up PERK Coffee Shops. In 2003 he bought out Fitzers, who held 50% of the shares in PERK, and then sold Perk to Insomnia. Kerr reinvested all the proceeds of the Perk sale back into Insomnia and became a shareholder and CEO of Insomnia. Since 2004 to date Kerr has led the expansion of Insomnia from 17 to 50 shops and increased turnover from €5 million to €13 Million.
In 2008, he sold 51% of Insomnia to the Icelandic Penninn group valuing the business at €16 million.
In 2009 he was a dragon on the Irish version of Dragons' Den
.
In October, 2010 he took over hosting of "Down to Business", a business focused radio show aired on Newstalk, an Irish talk radio station. The former host was Mark Mortell.
where his father ran the family business, the 4 star Newpark Hotel. Kerr was educated in CBS Kilkenny and Castleknock College
, Dublin and went on to study catering management DIT Cathal Brugha Street.
Bobby Kerr currently lives in Sandycove
with his wife of 20 years Mary and their four daughters Meghan, Emily, Rebecca and Michaela.
Kerr played for Bective Rangers in Donnybrook, Dublin
for ten years.
In April 2011 Kerr spent time doing charity work in Zambia, building a house for a local family caring for AIDS orphans.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
entrepreneur and businessman. He is the Chairman of Insomnia Coffee Company
Insomnia Coffee Company
Insomnia Coffee Company is the largest chain of coffee shops in the Republic of Ireland. As of 2010 the chain consists of in excess of 60 outlets, three of which are located at UCD, and including several in-store cafes at Insomnia@Spar...
. Recently he was a dragon on the Irish
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
version of Dragons' Den
Dragons' Den
Dragons' Den is a series of reality television programmes featuring entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas in order to secure investment finance from a panel of venture capitalists. The show originated in Japan as "Manē no Tora"...
produced by Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
.
Career
Kerr's first job was in 1981 as chef/trainee manager in AIBAllied Irish Banks
Allied Irish Banks p.l.c. is a major commercial bank based in Ireland.AIB is one of the so called "big four" commercial banks in the state. The bank has one of the largest branch networks in Ireland; only Bank of Ireland fully rivals it. AIB offers a full range of personal and corporate banking...
Catering Ballsbridge
Ballsbridge
Ballsbridge is a suburb of Dublin, Ireland, named for the bridge spanning the River Dodder on the south side of the city. The sign on the bridge still proclaims it as "Ball's Bridge" in recognition of the fact that the original bridge in this location was built and owned by a Mr...
. For two years he worked at the North Sea oil
North Sea oil
North Sea oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons, comprising liquid oil and natural gas, produced from oil reservoirs beneath the North Sea.In the oil industry, the term "North Sea" often includes areas such as the Norwegian Sea and the area known as "West of Shetland", "the Atlantic Frontier" or "the...
rigs, before working for Versa Food Services in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1984. While in Canada Kerr held Assistant Catering Manager positions in the CNE Stadium Toronto, Ottawa Civic Centre
Ottawa Civic Centre
The Ottawa Civic Centre, also known as the J. Benson Cartage Centre for 2011–2012, is an indoor arena located in Ottawa, Ontario, seating 9,862. With temporary seating and standing room it can hold 10,585. Opened in December 1967, it is used primarily for sports, including curling, figure skating,...
, Crystal Beach Amusement Park and African Lion Safari
African Lion Safari
African Lion Safari is a family-owned safari park situated in Flamborough, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, about west of Toronto. The mailing address is in Cambridge, Ontario. It includes more than 1,000 animals, representing over 100 species of mammals and birds from across the globe...
and coordinated the catering for Pope John Paul II's
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
visit to Canada in 1985 for one million people.
When he returned to Ireland in 1986 Kerr, took the position of Assistant Manager in Jury's Hotel Ballsbridge. He then took up the role of Catering Manager for Campbell Catering in UCC from 1987-1989. He took up various roles in Campbell Catering, then moving on to business and marketing for Contract Catering Company. In 1992, Kerr took on the role of Managing Director Bewleys Oriental Café, Bewleys Franchising and Bewleys Bakery.
In 1997 Kerr became Director of Development Campbell Bewley Group with responsibility for the overseas development of the Bewley Brand in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, USA and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. In 1999 Kerr set up PERK Coffee Shops. In 2003 he bought out Fitzers, who held 50% of the shares in PERK, and then sold Perk to Insomnia. Kerr reinvested all the proceeds of the Perk sale back into Insomnia and became a shareholder and CEO of Insomnia. Since 2004 to date Kerr has led the expansion of Insomnia from 17 to 50 shops and increased turnover from €5 million to €13 Million.
In 2008, he sold 51% of Insomnia to the Icelandic Penninn group valuing the business at €16 million.
In 2009 he was a dragon on the Irish version of Dragons' Den
Dragons' Den
Dragons' Den is a series of reality television programmes featuring entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas in order to secure investment finance from a panel of venture capitalists. The show originated in Japan as "Manē no Tora"...
.
In October, 2010 he took over hosting of "Down to Business", a business focused radio show aired on Newstalk, an Irish talk radio station. The former host was Mark Mortell.
Personal life
Bobby Kerr was brought up in KilkennyKilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
where his father ran the family business, the 4 star Newpark Hotel. Kerr was educated in CBS Kilkenny and Castleknock College
Castleknock College
Castleknock College is a private , secondary school for boys aged between 13 and 18, which is situated in the residential suburb of Castleknock, 8 km west of the city centre in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
, Dublin and went on to study catering management DIT Cathal Brugha Street.
Bobby Kerr currently lives in Sandycove
Sandycove
Sandycove is an area of Dublin, Ireland. It is south of Dún Laoghaire and Glasthule, but north of Dalkey.Sandycove is well-known for its gentlemen's bathing place, the Forty Foot, which in the past afforded a quiet swimming haven for males only...
with his wife of 20 years Mary and their four daughters Meghan, Emily, Rebecca and Michaela.
Kerr played for Bective Rangers in Donnybrook, Dublin
Donnybrook, Dublin
Donnybrook is a district of Dublin, Ireland. It is situated on the southside of the city, in the Dublin 4 postal district, and is home to the Irish state broadcaster RTÉ. It was once part of the Pembroke Township...
for ten years.
In April 2011 Kerr spent time doing charity work in Zambia, building a house for a local family caring for AIDS orphans.