Tributes to Finnebrogue chairman who died in tragic accident

Tributes to Finnebrogue chairman who died in tragic accident

12 May 2021

TRIBUTES were paid to Downpatrick business entrepreneur Denis Lynn by his loving relatives, colleagues and friends during a service to mark a celebration of his remarkable life last week.

The service was held at his beloved Finnebrogue estate on the outskirts of the town last Friday afternoon after which the 63 year-old Finnebrogue Artisan founder and chairman — who died in a tragic quad bike accident just five days earlier – was taken on one last tour of his nearby award-winning factories before being laid to rest near his home.

Mourners who gathered outside in the grounds of the sprawling estate for the celebration of his life heard about his entrepreneurial skills from a young age, his love of animals, including breeding hamsters and chickens for sale.

Those who gathered in bright sunshine to say farewell to a man regarded as one of the UK’s leading business innovators and entrepreneurs heard how he came second in Northern Ireland in his 11-plus exam and that although he left school at 15 with no qualifications, he became chairman of one of Europe’s leading food manufacturing companies with a turnover in excess of £100m and employing 1,000 people.

One of the businessman’s granddaughters — who lovingly referred to him as ‘Papa D’ — said he was “shockingly brave and encouraged us to be brave too”, adding: “All of us here will carry his legacy for the rest of our days.”

Paying a heartfelt and emotional tribute to her father, Tara Lynn said: “I know your dad died when you were 15 years old and that changed your life forever. But you channelled this sadness into success. And we will try and do the same for you.”

Mr Lynn said he wanted to “change the world through food” and mourners heard that while many 

charities had paid tribute to his generosity since his death, the businessman was reduced to tears at the plight of children in Malawi when he was visiting a hospital that he supported there through his Good Little Company.

Delivering Mr Lynn’s eulogy, Jago Pearson, Finnebrogue Artisan’s chief strategy officer, said his boss used to say there are different types of people in this world. 

“Denis said some have integrity. Others have intelligence. There are those with an abundance of energy. Too few have all three. And even fewer have a crystallised view of right or wrong. Of purpose. Of meaning. Of reason for being.

“Denis Lynn was not like the rest of us. There was nobody who had more of all these qualities than him. Denis wanted to change the world and he wanted it done yesterday. And while his premature passing leaves a long list of things he still wanted to achieve; his list of accomplishments are long and they are exceptional.

“From pioneering a new French fry in the early days to transforming the way we farm deer, from making the UK’s finest sausage to developing revolutionary nitrite-free bacon and, more recently, the biggest food evolution of them all, making plant-based food the best it can be possibly be, all without being bound by the way it’s always been done.”

Mr Pearson said through job creation and investment Mr Lynn had put this rural corner of Northern Ireland on the map and, above all, he loved making new products.

He continued: “Denis spoke of literally hearing music in his mouth when he ate and was developing food. He had a gift for identifying what was happening to the structure, succulence and flavour and articulating it in a way nobody else could. But he was more than just the builder of a business or producer of groundbreaking new creations.He was a visionary with an infectious passion for delivering positive change for the planet and its people.

“Denis eradicated childhood malaria deaths in an entire district of southern Malawi. He supported the work of Cancer Fund for Children. He led efforts to eradicate school holiday hunger long before it was fashionable. He did so much more that went unseen.”

Mr Pearson continued: “Denis certainly lived alright. He lived in the present, he took risks, he made mistakes and he enjoyed himself. He was human and he was a genius.

“For some, he was a difficult man to work for. He spotted blaggers a mile off. He had no time for laziness or for lack of ambition. If someone spun him a yarn he would call them out and he’d often show them the door. Denis called a spade a spade. His loyalty to those who were loyal to him was total and it was unwavering.

“His mission was delivering a better world for his wife Christine, his children and his grandchildren, all of whom he adored. His mission is now Finnebrogue’s mission. Because for the Finnebrogue team he put together, all chosen by him personally, he was our founder, leader and inspiration.”

Mr Pearson added: “The reason Denis got up every morning was to deliver real and lasting change, to build a more sustainable planet and a better future for its people. He did this through food. We will do it by realising his ambition and delivering on his vision.”