IIBN - International Irish Business Network

On 11th May 2010, IIBN members enjoyed a private audience with the legendary businessman, Dr Dermot Smurfit.

Over 150 members attended the event which took place at the flagship offices of Deutsche Bank in the City of London. Members were treated to a fascinating and candid insight in to the Smurfits exceptional rise in business in addition to Dermot’s own entrepreneurial journey and charitable endeavours.

Dermot started his career path in Jefferson Smurfit in 1961 fulfilling many positions from Operator to Plant Manager and Chairman CEO of Smurfit Europe. Since that time he has been Chairman non-Executive of Anker Plc which floated on AIM in December 2004 and was sold to a competitor in the middle of 2005, Chairman of Peach Holdings also floated on AIM in March 2006 – this was sold to Venture Capitalists towards the end of 2006.

In January 2005 he completed the purchase of Powerflute, formerly Savon Sellu, and in August 2006 completed the purchase of Pankaboard, formerly Pankakoski, both in conjunction with private investors and acts as Chairman of Powerflute. Powerflute OYJ was successfully floated on the AIM market in May 2007.

He is a Director of ACE Limited, a major worldwide insurance and reinsurance group and Chairman of Eurolink an Irish registered company which operates a toll road in Ireland , ultimately controlled by Ferrovial of Spain. He is also Chairman of Timber Capital which manages funds on behalf of The Forest Company Ltd which invests in timber assets in Brazil and which is currently seeking to raise a further $450M. Dermot is also Chairman of the World Container Board Organisation, President of FEFCO and a Member of the Foundation Board, University of Limerick.

In summary, Dermot was clear on what skills are needed to make a business thrive; vision, nerve and delegation, coupled with large and generous quantities of luck.

Drinks and canapés, generously provided by Deutsche Bank were served after the formal proceedings and the evening concluded at The Irish Club on Tudor Street.

Click on the photo below to review photos taken at the event.

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