Fran Rooney is an Irish businessman, barrister-at-law and is the executive chairman of healthcare company Blocknubie Limited, which supplies solutions in the blockchain and artificial intelligence.[1][2] He has a football background and was CEO of the Football Association of Ireland from 2003 to 2004. He is also a chartered accountant and fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
As CEO of the cryptography and data security company Baltimore Technologies, Rooney took the company from a small operation to a global enterprise with a market capitalisation of $13.6 billion that was twice named Ireland's company of the year. Rooney was also presented with the 2000 Businessman of the Year by the President of Ireland and 2001 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Bank of Ireland.[3][citation needed] Rooney was the subject of considerable media interest both in Europe and the US following his involvement with Baltimore Technologies and was the subject of an RTÉ documentary in the Raging Bulls series.[4]
Early life edit
Rooney took his Leaving Cert at CBS Westland Row.[5] He played football with Home Farm, Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians. While working, he trained as an accountant at night. He subsequently became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Institute of Internal Auditors and Irish Computer Society.[1]
His early career included roles in[5]
- Higher Executive Officer a variety of roles in the Irish Government Sector.
- An Post-Systems Analyst Responsible for designing, developing and implementing high-end computer systems.
- National Irish Bank – 1990–1993 General Manager
- Meridian – 1993–1994 – Managing Director
- Quay Financial Software – 1994–1996 – CEO
Baltimore Technologies edit
Michael Pureser founded Baltimore Technologies in the 1970s.[6] In 1996, it was acquired by a team funded by Dermot Desmond and led by Fran Rooney. As CEO, Rooney developed Baltimore Technologies into a global data security company. He developed products, marketed the company and listed on the NASDAQ and London Stock Exchange (achieved FTSE 100 status) with a market capitalization of €13.6 billion, 1,400 employees and offices in 23 cities worldwide.[7]
In 1998, Bill Clinton and Bertie Ahern signed an Electronic Commerce deal using Baltimore's technology. Under Rooney's leadership, Baltimore underwent several successful mergers, became a member of the FTSE 100, and was also successfully listed on the NASDAQ. Baltimore Technologies was Company of the Year in 1998 and 2000. In 2000, Mr. Rooney was awarded Businessman of the Year and was presented with his award by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.[8] He was Bank of Ireland Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001.[9][10]
Football career edit
He was chief executive officer of the Football Association of Ireland from May 2003 to November 2004.[11][12]
He became CEO to bring about change in the running of football because of his passion for the game. Previously, he had an active career as a footballer, playing for Shamrock Rovers, Home Farm and St Patrick's Athletic and coaching football and Gaelic Football teams. He had been a football manager, managing several teams and took on the role of the Republic of Ireland women's national football team manager from 1986 to 1992.[13]
Post-Football Association of Ireland Career edit
After his role at the FAI, Rooney worked with several other companies and qualified as a barrister.[14][10][15]
- National Irish Bank – Corporate Banking – Asset Finance – Credit Cards
- Vimio – 2004–2005 – Executive Chairman – Successful listing on the London AIM Stock Market
- Ice Broadband 2004–2008 – Executive Chairman – National Broadband installation
- Mingo – 2017 Cryptocurrency – Executive Chairman
Achievements and certificates edit
- Businessman of the Year 2001 (Presented by the President of Ireland)
- Entrepreneur of the Year 2001
- Product of the Year 2000
- Product of the Year 1999
- Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountancy
- Fellow of the Irish Computer Society
- Fellow of the Institute of Internal Auditors
Education edit
- Honourable Society Kings Inn
- Bachelor of Law Degree 2008
- Honourable Society Kings Inn
- Diploma in Legal Studies 2004–2007
- Institute of Chartered Accountants
- Chartered Accountant 1986–1989
- Institute of Public Administration
- Honours Degree in Administrative Science 1986
- Honours Diploma in Administrative Science 1985
References edit
- ^ a b Fran Rooney Law Library
- ^ Blocknubie Appoints Irish Entrepreneur Fran Rooney As Chairman
- ^ Business & Finance Awards Business Person of the Year
- ^ "He flew too high, too fast and greatly paid the price". 15 October 2006. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ a b Lyons, Madeline (3 May 2003). "Fran who fell to earth". The Irish Times.
- ^ Tales from the encrypt
- ^ https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/thecom-millionaires-26140128.html Irish Independent
- ^ "Past Recipients". Archived from the original on 6 December 2008.
- ^ Article from The Post charting Rooney's career Archived 2004-12-13 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b What they did next - Fran Rooney
- ^ RTE Article
- ^ Irish Times
- ^ Irish Times article (paid subscription required)
- ^ Irish Independent
- ^ Fran Rooney LinkedIn