Mr Gene Murtagh

Gene Murtagh BBS ’93 became the youngest Chief Executive Officer of a publicly-quoted company on the Irish Stock Exchange when he took over the reins at building materials giant, Kingspan Group Plc. in January, 2005. 

Gene joined the Group in 1993 having completed his Business Studies Degree at the University of Limerick, graduating with honours. He spent the first two years working with Kingspan’s business interests in Europe. 

He was General Manager in Ireland for the Insulation division for two years, before taking up the position of Managing Director of the Environmental Containers business which operates 14 manufacturing plants. He joined the Board of Directors in 1999. 

From 2000 to 2003, Gene was Managing Director of the Insulated Panels business which represents 38% of the Group’s turnover. 

Kingspan today is one of Ireland’s largest companies with a turnover approaching €1.5bn, employing over 5,000 people. Since Gene took over the reins as CEO, Kingspan was named Business & Finance magazine’s “Company of the Year 2005”. Looking ahead to future opportunities, Gene says “we see as a company exactly where our future growth is going to come from. Seeking out the `not so obvious’ opportunity has always been encouraged at Kingspan. That will continue.” 

Gene, 35 is originally from Kingscourt, Co Cavan and is married to UL class-mate, Orla McMahon BBS ’93. Today, they live in Dundalk, Co Louth with their three young children. 

Gene remains involved with UL through Kingspan’s current membership of the BSc Construction Management & Engineering degree’s Course Advisory Board, providing invaluable input to benefit current students of that programme. 

The above text is an extract from the 2006 UL Alumni Awards Souvenir Booklet.