11 September 2018
John Rainey MBE honoured with prestigious Innovation Founder award
Pictured are John Rainey MBE, Ian Sheppard, Managing Director Northern Ireland of Invent 2018 sponsor Bank of Ireland UK, and Dr Norman Apsley, CEO Catalyst Inc.
As Connect at Catalyst Inc looks forward to its Invent Awards sponsored by Bank of Ireland UK, it today announces that Mr John Rainey MBE has been named as its Innovation Founder for 2018.
John Rainey, founder of the award winning, internationally recognised Denroy Group, is the ninth Innovation Founder to be acknowledged and joins an esteemed list of previous recipients – James Lecky, Martin Naughton KBE, Brian Conlon, Dr William Wright CBE, Dr Peter FitzGerald CBE, Tom Eakin, Dr Hugh Cormican and Prof John Anderson.
With an annual turnover of £20 million and an employee count of 220, the Bangor based Denroy Group, with Rainey at the helm, has been moulding plastics for international markets since 1972.
Selling into 60 countries, this family business consists of Denroy Plastics and sister company Denman International. It focuses on innovation through the hairbrush brand Denman, with a diverse portfolio of products including medical devices and aircraft wing components. In 2018 the company achieved SC21 Gold accreditation –only one of four companies to have achieved this in the UK. This accreditation recognises the outstanding world-class achievement of Denroy plastics who exemplifies the innovative and ambitious characteristics within the highly successful Northern Ireland aerospace industry.
During the last 20 years, John has showed his commitment to the local economy by ensuring jobs stayed in Northern Ireland despite intense economic pressures. Well known for his drive, dedication and passion for business, he received an MBE in 2014 for his outstanding contribution to economic development. More recently he received an Honoury doctorate from Queens University Belfast in 2017 for distinction in business and commerce.
Ian Sheppard, Managing Director Northern Ireland of Invent 2018 sponsor Bank of Ireland UK, said: “We are delighted to have another deserving recipient in John as this year’s Innovation Founder. Under his leadership, Denroy’s success has been fuelled by an ambition to build a world-leading business. Through continually investing in new product development, technical skills and talent they have not only grown a strong original business but, with vision and innovation tactically expanded into complimentary sectors.”
Speaking at a special lunch with the 12 Invent 2018 finalists, John Rainey commented ‘It is a great privilege to receive the Innovation Founder award. I feel especially pleased to be included within such a distinguished group of entrepreneurs. The Denroy Group is a great indigenous company doing amazing work on a global stage. I would like to share this achievement with the whole Denroy team who have highlighted their passion, commitment and dedication for almost 50 years.”
Dr Norman Apsley, CEO Catalyst Inc said ‘Each year the Innovation Founder award is given to a local innovator who has successfully pushed the possibility of their business idea beyond boundaries and we are delighted to recognise the outstanding success and qualities of John Rainey through this award. John and our other Innovation Founders come from a wide variety of sectors but they all share a common characteristic; having the tenacity and vision to develop home grown innovation into remarkable success stories. They are all a testament to the fact that in Northern Ireland we are as capable as anywhere in the world at creating an outstanding breakthrough business.’
The award will be formally presented at the Invent Awards 2018 on 11 October 2018 in the Waterfront Conference Centre, Belfast, where more than 600 investors, entrepreneurs, executives and student innovators will gather to congratulate John Rainey and the Invent 2018 winners.
Pictured are Ian Sheppard, Managing Director Northern Ireland of Invent 2018 sponsor Bank of Ireland UK, John Rainey MBE and Dr Norman Apsley, CEO of Catalyst Inc.
Tickets are still available at www.invent2018.co
NOTES TO EDITORS
Invent is an annual competition that showcases and rewards local innovations that promise the greatest potential. It’s an opportunity to gain high-profile exposure; to market-validate ideas; to unlock a quality network of influencers and to win a place on the NI Tech Mission to California. There’s also a prize fund of £33,000, shared by the winners.
John Rainey will receive his honour at the Invent Award finals on the night of Thursday 11 October at the Waterfront conference centre in Belfast. He joins an esteemed list of previous recipients including James Lecky (2017), Martin Naughton (2016), 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).
For more information on Invent 2018 visit www.invent2018.co or contact Invent Programme Manager Kerry McGarvey Kerry.mcgarvey@catalyst-inc.org.
About Connect
Connect is a not-for-profit network of experienced entrepreneurs, business professionals and top research talent. We’re dedicated to the creation and scaling of innovation companies in Northern Ireland. Every year we help over 800 local entrepreneurs to aim higher and succeed faster. Based on the proven University of California Connect model, we run intensive development programmes, track NI’s knowledge economy and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of young people. We introduce our programme participants to a network of potential investors and help plug gaps in their business knowledge. We’re supported by corporate partners, underwritten by Catalyst Inc and don’t take equity in the organisations we help. That’s because our vision is for Northern Ireland to become one of the most entrepreneurial knowledge economies in Europe by 2030.
Press Contact
Kerry McGarvey, Invent Programme Manager
Kerry.mcgarvey@catalyst-inc.org
Telephone: 02890737792