Name: Desmond Smyth.
Education: Limavady Grammar School. Studied at Queen's University Belfast, where he obtained an Honours degree in mathematics and statistics.
Career: Began professional career in Coopers & Lybrand, now PricewaterhouseCoopers, qualifying as an accountant in 1974. Joined UTV in 1975 and in 1976 was appointed company secretary/financial controller. Became managing director in 1983.
Other interests: non-executive director of Viridian plc, formerly Northern Ireland Electricity. Chairman of Prince's Youth Business Trust in Northern Ireland. Also a director of the Northern Ireland Film Commission. He is a former President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Why he is in the news: UTV announced its annual results for 1998 earlier this week. The company's operating profit grew by 13.3 per cent to £8.31 million. Earnings per share rose from 10.9p to 16.09p. Shareholders are to get a special dividend of 35p per share which will cost the company £18.4 million and reduce its net cash to £6 million.
