First Derivatives plc founder named 2010 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Brian Conlon, founder and Chief Executive of Newry firm First Derivatives plc, was named the 13th Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year at a gala ceremony held in Dublin last night. He was announced as the winner of the International Category before receiving the overall title which was presented by The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.
Founded by Conlon in 1996 First Derivatives plc is a leading provider of products and consulting services to the capital markets industry. Focused on financial institutions that work cross-asset, often with multi-system and/or high volume trading activities, the Company scopes, designs, develops, implements and supports a broad range of mission critical data and trading systems across front, middle and back-office operations.
First Derivatives plc is a publicly held company, trading on the London Stock Exchange (LSE FDP.L) and Irish Stock Exchange (IEX:GYQ.I). The Company is headquartered in Newry, Northern Ireland from where it has established its research and development centre, its Capital Markets Competency Centre and its near-shore support facilities. The Company has continued to expand its service offering and now has operational bases in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia to service its global client base. It is recognized as one of the fastest growing capital markets service providers in the world. The company’s clients include nine of the 10 largest US investment banks, 30 of the world’s top hedge funds, two of the world’s largest Stock Exchanges and three of the largest retail banks in South East Asia. First Derivatives plc now employs over 450 employees worldwide.
Frank O’Keeffe, partner-in-charge of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year said; Brian Conlon has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial vision with an innovative and successful business model. He is at the forefront of Irish companies contributing to the new global economy.”
“All of our 24 finalists’ creativity and risk-taking ability will continue to be a significant source for our future economic wellbeing, he added.
Two other key awards were announced amongst the 24 finalists, Mike and Pat Glennon of Longford based timber processing firm, Glennon Brothers, were named the Ernst & Young Industry Entrepreneur of the Year, and Dublin born Conrad Burke of Innovalight, with headquarters in Silicon Valley, California, was awarded the Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year title. This company manufactures and sells a proprietary nanotechnology-based silicon ink and licences a printing process to solar cell manufacturing companies.
A special award for achievements outside of the traditional business arena was awarded to Dr. Martin McAleese for his Your Country, Your Call successful endeavour – for leading by example and showing that we all have it within us to change things for the better.
Commenting on Dr. McAleese’s award Frank O’Keeffe said; “It was in 2010 that one man – who is more accustomed to working quietly in the background – proved to all of us the meaning of leadership. Because sometimes, as a nation, we need to be reminded of our infinite potential.”
Brian Conlon will go on to represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monte Carlo in June 2011.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year programme is sponsored by, RTE, Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland and Newstalk.
