Dr Hugh O'Donnell

Hugh was born in Limerick and graduated from NIHE (University of Limerick) in 1987 with a BEng Mechanical Engineering degree. Opportunities for newly-graduated mechanical engineers were thin on the ground in the depressed Ireland of that time and so like many of his peers, he emigrated. He headed to South Africa where he joined Anglo American Mining Corporation as junior Engineer and worked in several positions in construction engineering up until 1991. 

On leaving Anglo, Hugh joined the Kentz Group in South Africa to set up their mechanical business unit. He has remained with the company through its various incarnations ever since, rising rapidly through the ranks. After managing several projects for Kentz in Africa and Asia, he was appointed head of the company's African operations in 1997. That same year, he was appointed to the Board of Management of Kentz. In 2000, at the age of just 35, he was appointed Managing Director of the entire group. Hugh was next appointed to the Kentz main Board of Directors with effect from 1 January, 2001 after taking up the position of Group CEO based out of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

Kentz started in 1919 at Gurtnafleur, Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Originally MF Kent, it became one of Ireland's largest engineering firms and at one stage, was the largest company in the country. It began operating internationally in the seventies and by the late eighties, the company had developed a new strategy. Its projects were varied and included helping to build 25 nuclear fallout shelters in Baghdad during the Iran-Iraq War. In 1993, it went through some well-publicized financial difficulties and emerged through examinership when the Peremba group stepped in and invested in the company. Today, Kentz employs more than 7,000 people, operates in 20 countries and in 2007, made a pre-tax profit of $34m on revenues of $545m with a current market capitalization of approximately $400m. In February this year, the successful flotation of Kentz on London's AIM market represented a remarkable turnaround for the firm and its chief executive, Hugh O'Donnell. In the space of 14 years, Kentz has gone from the brink of bankruptcy to being one of the leading international players in its field. 

Hugh is married to Finola and they have 3 sons: Shane, Patrick and Tadhg. Further to his primary degree, Hugh completed a Masters Course in Business Administration from Surrey University in the UK from 1997 to 1999 and a Doctorate in Management with the University of Southern Cross, Australia between 1999 and 2002. He is also a Professional Engineer registered with the Board of Engineers, South Africa. 

The above text is an extract from the 2008 UL Alumni Awards Souvenir Booklet.