Farm Week – Michele Shirlow
Foundation a fitting tribute to visionary business leader
I was privileged to know the late Denis Lynn, the founder of Finnebrogue Artisan, now one of our most innovative and hugely successful food enterprises which has become a UK industry leader. Denis was a pioneer with a tremendous commitment to this community as well as other regions overseas.
The recent formation of the Denis Lynn Foundation as Finnebrogue’s new vehicle for the company’s charitable giving here and abroad is a fitting way of marking his huge contribution. His untimely passing in an accident was a sad loss for his family, the business and the wider community. He achieved so much in industry and the local and global community during his remarkable career. Denis was an outstanding and visionary leader. He has created one of the most advanced and successful food businesses in Europe.
Denis was also passionate about the potential for Finnebrogue to help those less fortunate than ourselves. In Co Down, for example, he helped Cancer Fund for Children’s cancer care programme; and further afield, he supported malaria control and vitally important orphan education schemes with the Mulanje Mission Hospital in Malawi. I was impressed and inspired by the strength of commitment to these and other charitable organisations, as were many others in this community who worked closely with him and were privileged to regard him as a friend.
Denis, furthermore, was a pioneer in measures to preserve our precious environment, investing enthusiastically in sustainability initiatives. Finnebrogue has also focused on products that support the wellbeing of people and our environment. The new Foundation will continue this inspirational work. Finnebrogue will commit at least three per cent of its profits every year to the Foundation, which will in turn support charities that are working to alleviate poverty, improve the life chances of disadvantaged young people and protect the environment. Potentially harmful ingredients and chemicals have been and are being eliminated.
Partner charities this year include Children in Northern Ireland, where the business is helping to alleviate hunger during school holidays; One Equine, which is using horse therapy to support children with learning difficulties; and Clean up the Quoile, which is seeking to restore the River Quoile to its rightful status as Downpatrick’s finest natural asset. Early next year, the Finnebrogue family will have the opportunity to suggest charities and causes to support in 2024/25.
I understand that The Good Life Company (GLC) will, however, continue to be the primary beneficiary of the Foundation’s donations. It was one of his first charity focused projects and used funds from the sale of sausages, in particular, in Malawi. The GLC’s work with the Mulanje Mission Hospital in Malawi has already produced some extraordinary results; helping to all but eradicate infant malaria deaths, educating and caring for 500 orphans, training hundreds of farmers in sustainable agriculture techniques, and much more.
The new Foundation is a fitting tribute to Denis, his vision and commitment to the wellbeing of this and future generations and I have no doubt the foundation will continue to flourish and make a difference to many lives.
