Gavin O'Reilly
Encyclopedia
Gavin Karl O'Reilly is a Dublin-born businessman with Irish
and Australia
n citizenship, the second son and fourth child of Irish media magnate Tony O'Reilly
and Australian Susan Cameron. He is currently Group Chief Executive Officer of Independent News and Media, the largest press group in Ireland and South Africa, and one of the largest in Australia and New Zealand, with almost 200 titles and a readership of over 100 million. He is also President of the World Association of Newspapers
(2005–2010), and a director of the Ireland Funds
.
, Ireland and Fox Chapel, Pittsburgh, USA. After a year at Harrow School
, he completed school at Clongowes Wood, a private school in a historic house near one of the then main family homes, Castlemartin
in Kildare
After taking his Irish Leaving Certificate exam in 1985, he went to London
, taking a summer job in advertising agency Doyle Dane Bernbach (now part of DDB Needham), and staying there for around two years. He then attended Georgetown University
School of Business but interrupted his studies to work as a stockbroker in Hong Kong
and London
, before finishing his degree with honours.
in 2000. He was additionally made Group Chief Operating Officer in December 2001 and appointed to the board in 2004.
In late March 2008, at a company Annual Meeting not attended by his father, he launched an attack on the second-largest shareholder in Independent News and Media, telecoms entrepreneur Denis O'Brien
, who has been building a stake in the company which nearly rivals that of the O'Reilly family.
On Friday 13 March 2009, INM announced the departure as CEO and board member of Tony O'Reilly, and the promotion of Gavin O'Reilly to CEO. along with a reduction in the board from 17 to 10 and the appointment of 3 Denis O'Brien nominees immediately.
., and then re-elected in June 2006, and June 2008. When it merged with IFRA in 2009 to form the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, he was elected as the first President of the merged association, to hold office until June 30, 2011.
He is also Chairman of the National Newspapers of Ireland, and of a hotel in which his family has interests, Dromoland Castle
, a director of Norkom Technologies, Ashford Castle
and numerous charitable foundations, including the Ireland Funds. He is a Trustee of the O'Reilly Foundation
(http://www.oreillyfoundation.ie/).
on June 25, 1994, at family residence Castlemartin
, with 560 guests present. Making their home at Bartra House, a 10000 sq ft (929 m²) home overlooking the sea in Dalkey
, purchased in 1996, with neighbours including singer Enya
and U2
guitarist The Edge
, the marriage produced two daughters (Alanna in 1996; Lauren in 1999). They divorced in 2006.
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,...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n citizenship, the second son and fourth child of Irish media magnate Tony O'Reilly
Tony O'Reilly
Sir Anthony Joseph Francis O'Reilly is an Irish businessman and former international rugby union player. He is known for his involvement the Independent News & Media Group, which he led from 1973 to 2009, and as former CEO and Chairman of the H.J. Heinz Company. He was the leading shareholder of...
and Australian Susan Cameron. He is currently Group Chief Executive Officer of Independent News and Media, the largest press group in Ireland and South Africa, and one of the largest in Australia and New Zealand, with almost 200 titles and a readership of over 100 million. He is also President of the World Association of Newspapers
World Association of Newspapers
The World Association of Newspapers is a non-profit, non-governmental organization made up of 76 national newspaper associations, 12 news agencies, 10 regional press organisations and individual newspaper executives in 100 countries...
(2005–2010), and a director of the Ireland Funds
The Ireland Funds
The Ireland Funds are a global fundraising network for people of Irish ancestry and friends of Ireland, dedicated to raising funds to support programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland...
.
Education and early career
O'Reilly was born, the eldest of triplets, and fourth of six children, in 1966, in Dublin, and brought up in Dublin and KilcullenKilcullen
Kilcullen , formally Kilcullen Bridge, is a small town on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. Its population of 2,985 makes it the 12th largest settlement in County Kildare and the fastest growing in the county, having doubled in population from 1,483 in the census of 2002...
, Ireland and Fox Chapel, Pittsburgh, USA. After a year at Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
, he completed school at Clongowes Wood, a private school in a historic house near one of the then main family homes, Castlemartin
Castlemartin House and Estate
Castlemartin is the name of a historic house and estate, and the townland in which they sit, on the banks of the River Liffey in Kilcullen, County Kildare, Ireland...
in Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
After taking his Irish Leaving Certificate exam in 1985, he went to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, taking a summer job in advertising agency Doyle Dane Bernbach (now part of DDB Needham), and staying there for around two years. He then attended Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
School of Business but interrupted his studies to work as a stockbroker in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, before finishing his degree with honours.
INM career
In 1993, O'Reilly was hired by the public company led by his father, Independent News and Media plc (INM), by then already the largest press group in Ireland, and worked on the Independent Directory and then in other areas. He was appointed CEO of the Irish operations of INM in 1999 and oversaw the move of the company's printing operations to Citywest Business ParkCitywest
Citywest is a business park and golf resort in the Saggart area, just north and northwest of Saggart village in South Dublin. The nearest major town is Tallaght. The business park has developed a modest residential population in recent years...
in 2000. He was additionally made Group Chief Operating Officer in December 2001 and appointed to the board in 2004.
In late March 2008, at a company Annual Meeting not attended by his father, he launched an attack on the second-largest shareholder in Independent News and Media, telecoms entrepreneur Denis O'Brien
Denis O'Brien
Denis O'Brien is an Irish businessman with international connections. An Arts graduate of University College Dublin, O'Brien has received a MBA in corporate finance from Boston College in 1982, and was later given an honorary doctorate by University College Dublin.O'Brien has involvement with...
, who has been building a stake in the company which nearly rivals that of the O'Reilly family.
On Friday 13 March 2009, INM announced the departure as CEO and board member of Tony O'Reilly, and the promotion of Gavin O'Reilly to CEO. along with a reduction in the board from 17 to 10 and the appointment of 3 Denis O'Brien nominees immediately.
Other roles
In 2004, he was elected First Vice-President of the World Association of NewspapersWorld Association of Newspapers
The World Association of Newspapers is a non-profit, non-governmental organization made up of 76 national newspaper associations, 12 news agencies, 10 regional press organisations and individual newspaper executives in 100 countries...
., and then re-elected in June 2006, and June 2008. When it merged with IFRA in 2009 to form the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, he was elected as the first President of the merged association, to hold office until June 30, 2011.
He is also Chairman of the National Newspapers of Ireland, and of a hotel in which his family has interests, Dromoland Castle
Dromoland Castle
Dromoland Castle is a castle, now a luxury hotel with golf course, located near Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, Ireland. Its restaurant, the Earl of Thomond, was awarded a Michelin star in 1995.The present building was completed in 1835...
, a director of Norkom Technologies, Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle is a medieval castle turned five star luxury hotel near Cong on the Mayo/Galway Border in Ireland, on the shore of Lough Corrib. Ashford Castle is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World organization.-History:...
and numerous charitable foundations, including the Ireland Funds. He is a Trustee of the O'Reilly Foundation
O'Reilly Foundation
The O'Reilly Foundation is a personal charitable trust set up in 1998 by media magnate, and former CEO of Heinz, Sir Anthony "Tony" O'Reilly. Its function is the funding of educational projects; the two main work areas are capital developments at Irish colleges and an annual post-graduate...
(http://www.oreillyfoundation.ie/).
Personal life
O'Reilly married model and actress Alison DoodyAlison Doody
-Early life:The youngest of three children, she was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her mother, Joan, was a beauty therapist, and her father, Patrick, worked in the property business and farmed...
on June 25, 1994, at family residence Castlemartin
Castlemartin House and Estate
Castlemartin is the name of a historic house and estate, and the townland in which they sit, on the banks of the River Liffey in Kilcullen, County Kildare, Ireland...
, with 560 guests present. Making their home at Bartra House, a 10000 sq ft (929 m²) home overlooking the sea in Dalkey
Dalkey
Dalkey is suburb of Dublin and seaside resort in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Ireland. It was founded as a Viking settlement and became an important port during the Middle Ages. According to John Clyn, it was one of the ports through which the plague entered Ireland in the mid-14th century...
, purchased in 1996, with neighbours including singer Enya
Enya
Enya is an Irish singer, instrumentalist and songwriter. Enya is an approximate transliteration of how Eithne is pronounced in the Donegal dialect of the Irish language, her native tongue.She began her musical career in 1980, when she briefly joined her family band Clannad before leaving to...
and U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
guitarist The Edge
The Edge
David Howell Evans , more widely known by his stage name The Edge , is a musician best known as the guitarist, backing vocalist, and keyboardist of the Irish rock band U2. A member of the group since its inception, he has recorded 12 studio albums with the band and has released one solo record...
, the marriage produced two daughters (Alanna in 1996; Lauren in 1999). They divorced in 2006.
Sources
- Cork, Ireland, 19 December 2001: Irish Examiner, "Gavin O'Reilly likely heir apparent to take over father's mantle" - Conor Keane.
- Dublin, Ireland, February 2002: The Dubliner, "Independent Man" - Trevor White.
- London, The Observer, 27 January 2008: "O'Reilly junior proves passion for print is in the genes / But Gavin insists Independent News & Media is not a family heirloom", James Robinson The Observer, retrieved online 27 March 2008 (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/27/independentnewsmedia)