Business leaders have paid tribute to Glen Dimplex founder Martin Naughton, who has died.
Naughton (87) took ill while travelling in the United States with his wife Carmel, his family said in a statement. He died a short time later at Harborview Medical Centre in Seattle on Friday.
Naughton, who started Glen Dimplex in 1973, was a well-known philanthropist through his work with the Naughton Foundation.
Former Glen Dimplex chief executive Sean O’Driscoll, who worked with Naughton for 26 years, said the man from Dundalk, Co Louth was “an absolute gentleman”.
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“Martin demonstrated the very nicest of people can also be phenomenally successful in business,” O’Driscoll said.
“He understood the difference between ownership and management and over 26 years we never had a cross word and I never got a negative word from him. I just loved going to work every day to work with Martin.”
Telecoms billionaire Denis O’Brien also paid tribute to Naughton as a “pioneering Irishman” who was a “generous philanthropist, supporting education and the arts”.
“I wish to express my sincere sympathy to the Naughton family on the passing of Martin,” O’Brien said.
“He played a very significant role in Ireland’s growth and development over several decades and oversaw the expansion of Glen Dimplex in the UK, across Europe and on several continents.”
O’Driscoll also praised Naughton for leading a business that managed to “transcend both communities in Northern Ireland”.
“He started out in Newry, but we had businesses in Bangor and Portadown too. Even at the height of the Troubles, we were able to operate without any issue whatsoever.”
The British ambassador to Ireland, Kara Owen said she, along with her colleagues at the British Embassy and her family, are “deeply saddened” by the death of Naughton. She commended him for his “significant personal contribution to peace and reconciliation”.
In 2015, Naughton was awarded a KBE from the then-prince of Wales. In 2016, he was a recipient of France’s highest national honour, the Legion d’Honneur, in recognition of his far-reaching work for peace on the island of Ireland.
Naughton and his wife Carmel, who contributed to many charitable institutions including the Ireland Funds and a number of arts organisations, were also conferred the honour of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great by Pope Francis in recognition of their outstanding philanthropy in the areas of education and the arts.
VentureWave co-founder Kieran McLoughlin, who worked closely with Naughton on some of his philanthropic activities, praised him for his generosity.
“Martin led a great life indeed. His vision, courage and example were tremendous. His generosity was extraordinary,” McLoughlin said.
Hotelier John FitzPatrick, who worked with Naughton on some philanthropic work in the education sector, said he “strongly believed in the value of education and providing opportunities to young people”.
“I saw that first hand through his support on projects with the Queens University of Belfast Foundation during my term as chairman of this foundation. I send my sincere condolences to his wife Carmel and Fiona, Neil and Fergal.”
Ireland Funds chief executive Caitriona Fottrell said Naughton and his wife Carmel have been “massive leaders” in philanthropy.
“I loved their approach to philanthropy. A lot of it is probably not known. I don’t think they were ever looking for the limelight with what they did in education, scholarships and cultural institutions.”
A statement released by Naughton’s family said: “Though he received countless awards and accolades over a lifetime of achievement, his greatest pride and joy was his wife, Carmel and their beloved family.”
He is survived by his wife and children Fiona, Neil and Fergal and their extended family and many friends.
Glen Dimplex grew from seven employees in 1973 to become one of Ireland’s largest privately-owned manufacturing businesses with a turnover of €1.5 billion It became one of the world’s largest manufacturers of domestic appliances.
Naughton also had other business interests, which included his co-ownership of The Merrion Hotel in Dublin, along with the family of businessman Lochlann Quinn.
A spokeswoman for the Merrion Hotel said the directors, management and staff were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the hotel’s co-founder.
“He was an inspiration to us all. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.”
Ibec chief executive, Danny McCoy, said Naughton was “one of Ireland’s greatest entrepreneurs whose vision, innovation and determination built a world-class Irish company with a truly global reach.”
