Born in Galway, the eldest of six (a small Irish family)
Scholarship to local secondary school
Graduates from NUI Galway with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, moves to New Jersey, and learns to crack lobsters
Three months in bed with slipped discs, yet qualifies as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG Dublin
Joins Independent Newspapers Ireland
After two years of a cross channel romance, moves to London and joins BBDO Europe
Runs London marathon to get fit, before marrying Maria
Joins AMV BBDO as financial controller, later progressing to CFO/COO
First child Ella, followed in later years by Patrick, Amelie and Sarah
A near miss: suffers seizure due to adrenal gland tumour – fortunately, whilst in hospital
Shortlisted for UK Young Finance Director of The Year at the CBI Business awards
Awarded fellowship of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising
Joins Connor Broadley as Chief Operating Officer as the company enters its second decade
Qualifies as a financial planner after fourteen exams in a year
Gets football coaching badges, and starts coaching daughter Sarah’s team at Dulwich Village FC
Achieves second chartered qualification, this time as a Chartered Financial Planner