As Connect looks forward to the culmination of the INVENT Awards 2016, it announces that Mr Martin Naughton KBE has been named the Innovation Founder of the Year.
In 1973, Martin Naughton opened a small electrical manufacturing operation with just seven employees, making oil-filled radiators in Newry. Naughton’s company acquired partners and rivals including Dimplex, Morphy Richards and Bianella to become the world's largest manufacturer of domestic heating appliances. Glen Dimplex Group now employs more than 10,000 staff across 22 manufacturing facilities spread all over the world. The business has annual sales of around €1.5 billion.
Each year, the Innovation Founder award goes to a person who has achieved distinction in founding, leading or building a celebrated local science- or technology-based business. Martin Naughton will receive his honour at the INVENT Award finals on the night of Thursday 29th September at the Belfast Waterfront. He joins an esteemed list of previous recipients including Brian Conlon (2015), Dr William Wright CBE (2014), Dr Peter FitzGerald CBE (2013), Tom Eakin (2012), Dr Hugh Cormican (2011) and Prof John Anderson (2010).
“I’m humbled and honoured to join this list of founders, who have in their own ways changed the landscape of Northern Irish business,” said Martin Naughton.
The Innovation Founder Award is sponsored by Bank of Ireland UK, Julie Ann O’Hare, Head of Strategy & Sectors, said, “Mr Martin Naughton joins an inspirational group of world renowned business leaders. We congratulate him and thank him for accepting this award. The Glen Dimplex story, driven by “the desire to make the impossible possible” is rich in learnings for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow from start up through to global excellence.”
Steve Orr, Director at Connect said, “Given the massive impact that our Innovation Founders have had on the local and international economies over the past several decades, this is our most important award each year. I’m delighted Martin Naughton is being given a much-deserved accolade for his contribution to NI’s innovation economy. He’s an inspiration to us all.”
