Finnebrogue’s Denis Lynn named most innovative boss

Finnebrogue’s Denis Lynn named most innovative boss

24 October 2018

FINNEBROGUE founder Denis Lynn has been named the UK’s most innovative boss by the Institute of Directors.

Mr Lynn, who is chairman of the Downpatrick-based food manufacturer, started his firm from scratch in 1985 and has transformed it into the UK’s fastest growing of its kind.

Now employing 470 people at the Belfast Road site and turning over £75 million, Finnebrogue has made its name as the country’s leading supplier of top tier sausages, bacon and venison.

It launched its revolutionary Naked Bacon earlier this year, creating the first mass produced rasher to be made without nitrites, the cancer-causing chemicals traditionally used to cure the meat.

Mr Lynn said he was thrilled to accept the award on behalf of everyone at Finnebrogue.

“We pride ourselves on making food the best it can possibly be, without being bound by the way it’s always been done,” he said

 “Our incredible growth in recent years wouldn’t have happened without the drive, ambition and extraordinary abilities we have amongst a team who continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible. 

“The launch of our Naked Bacon this year has been a brilliant success. For more than a decade I have insisted we not touch bacon until we could make it better and safer — I’m delighted we now have.”

Institute of Directors awards judge, Phil Jones, applauded Mr Lynn and Finnebrogue’s “brilliant product development” that was designed to build a healthier world. 

Professor Chris Elliott, who leads the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast, also welcomed Naked Bacon. 

He said: “Finnebrogue have used a combination of innovation and natural fruit and spice extracts to come up with a bacon that is made without the need for added nitrites.

 “To have a bacon produced naturally, that doesn’t require such chemicals to be added or formed during processing, is a very welcome development.”