Latest news with #Conlon
Belfast Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
FD Technologies: the story of a Newry tech giant
The journey of FD Technologies, from a bedroom in Conlon's family home to become one of Northern Ireland's biggest technology companies – via an old converted corn warehouse next to the canal in Newry – is remarkable. The software specialist business – which provided products and consulting services to large global financial, technology and energy institutions – evolved from that bedroom to the stock markets of London and Amsterdam. Now another chapter in FD's 30-year journey has been written. In May, 2025, the company, which is headed by Seamus Keating, accepted a takeover bid from a private equity investor from Boston which valued the business at £550m. Donna Troy, chairwoman of FD, said the board unanimously thought the deal, based on an offer for £24.50 per share, 'delivers appropriate value to shareholders'. Over the last 30 years, FD (one of a handful of listed companies from Northern Ireland), grew from its Newry home across the Americas, Europe and Asia. And it has come a long way to get here. Brian Conlon was born in 1966 in Newry. He studied accountancy in Queen's University while playing gaelic football for his native Down. In 1987 he sustained a knee injury during a match for Queen's, forcing early retirement from the sport. He then turned his attention to the capital markets sector where he trained with a major accountancy firm. 'I spent the first year counting concrete and pick-up trucks and wanted something more challenging,' he told the Sunday Independent in an interview in 2008. Like many of his generation, Conlon migrated to London where he joined the risk management team in Morgan Stanley. From there he worked as a capital markets consultant in SunGard, a global derivatives software house. Rather than settle in England, he opted to return home and bring his experience with him. There was a gap in the market, he realised, for software consultancy. 'Most of the software firms were focused on selling the licences and not on services. There was an opening to help banks write financial models and help them with quantitative analysis,' Conlon said in 2008. He established First Derivatives in 1996 in the spare bedroom of his mother's home in Newry, using a £5,000 loan from the Newry Credit Union to help him get started. Years of organic growth followed. In the autumn of 1998, a few months after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, Brian Conlon took his fledgling team on a trade mission to California's Silicon Valley alongside a handful of other local software companies, including Kainos. California was receptive. The following year Kx Systems, a software company from Paolo Alto which specialsed in financial modelling and data analyses, sold its marketing rights to FD and the two businesses would prove a perfect couple over the following decades. By 2002, First Derivatives had just 26 employees and a £2m turnover, but Conlon decided to float his business on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in the London Stock Exchange (LSE), initially offering four million shares at a price of 50p per share. 'FD at the start was small of scale but the vision attracted investors,' Ryan Preston, the company's chief financial officer, told Ulster Business in 2022. 'You have to follow up and deliver the vision. When we first floated on the LSE we attracted an investor base that was primarily driven by revenue growth and dividends. We delivered on that very successfully over many years.' Annual reports over the next decade reported consistent profit growth. The company steadily increased its stake in Kx Systems and added more strings to its bow, including the acquisition in 2008 of Market Resource Partners (MRP), a Philadelphia-based business which employed data analytics for software and technology firms. By now Conlon's operations spanned the globe – from Singapore to Sydney, Vienna to Vancouver, London to Los Angeles. The company even purchased residential for its staff. 'We have up to 60 people working in London and 25 in New York so we decided that rather than pay rents we would buy apartments,' Conlon said in 2008. 'It worked because we only bought in nice places like Mayfair and Kensington in London and around Chelsea or the Village in New York.' The world was its stage but Newry remained home for First Derivatives. 'Brian spotted global opportunity where no one else did,' said Justin McNulty, an SDLP MLA who worked at the business. 'But on top of that he combined pride in his home town of Newry with his knowledge that the people of the North have the education and drive to excel.' The business leader was keen to spread some of his knowledge and in 2012 established The First Derivatives Trading Room, NI's first financial trading facility, at Queen's. In June 2019, First Derivatives announced it had taken entire ownership of Kx Systems for $53.8m (£39.9m) in cash. This was an important milestone, Conlon said at the time: 'Since we acquired a controlling stake in Kx in October 2014 we have invested heavily to deliver the performance advantages of our combined solutions, branded as Kx technology, to a range of end-markets.' Sadly, this was his final deal. The following month, July 2019, Brian Conlon died in Newry not long after being diagnosed with cancer. But his baby First Derivatives – which changed its name in 2021 to FD Technologies (to incorporate its three operations, First Derivative, Kx and MRP) – had grown wings of its own. The company was by now a technology powerhouse, providing software and services to major banks and servicing marketing technology and the automotive industry. In 2020 the company 'recognised there was a huge opportunity in Kx, our software business, and we came back to market with an accelerated growth strategy,' said Ryan Preston. FD ultimately decided to restructure the business to focus on Kx, which uses an approach to data analysis that helps companies predict and respond to market conditions in real time. In early 2024, it merged MRP, its marketing technology division, with Contentgine, a US firm. FD retained 49% of this merged entity. Late in 2024 it sold its consulting wing First Derivative to EPAM Systems, a US software company for a reported £205m. Since then, the company has focused on growing subscription sales of Kx products. Following its sale to TA Associates, an investment firm with reported assets under management of over $60bn, will FD have to part ways with Newry? Not necessarily. TA Associates said it intends to keep headquarters in Newry. Some jobs could be subject to 'reorganisation, reduction or redeployment but the deal will 'create greater employment opportunities for existing and future employees over the long term'. FD has come a long way to get here – and it looks as though the journey is not over yet.
Los Angeles Times
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
L.A. Opera names rising star Domingo Hindoyan as music director
When Domingo Hindoyan, the Venezuelan chief conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, made his debut with L.A. Opera last November with 'Roméo et Juliette,' Times classical music critic Mark Swed called it 'a coup for the company.' Swed also wondered if it was a 'signal that he is a candidate to succeed Music Director James Conlon, who steps down in 2026?' It turns out Swed was right. On Friday, L.A. Opera announced that Hindoyan has been named the company's Richard Seaver Music Director. He will succeed Conlon, the longtime music director who joined the company in 2006 and announced last year that he will step down at the end of the 2026 season. Conlon will take on the newly created role of conductor laureate. In a statement, Hindoyan said he was deeply honored to become only the third music director in the company's nearly 40-year history. 'From the first rehearsal, I felt a strong connection to the extraordinary musicians, staff, and spirit of this company,' he said. 'It is a privilege to follow Maestro James Conlon, whose legacy has shaped L.A. Opera into what it is today — a dynamic and ambitious institution.' After considering 'dozens' of candidates from around the world, L.A. Opera President and CEO Christopher Koelsch said he was 'struck by the fluidity of his technique and the clarity and command of his musical ideas' after seeing Hindoyan at the Berlin State Opera in 2016. 'His deeply collaborative nature and generous spirit in rehearsal make him a favorite among singers, who are inspired by the space he creates for musical risk-taking and expressive freedom.' Koelsch also praised Hindoyan's 'deep rapport with musicians and audiences alike.' Hindoyan, 45, is originally from Caracas, Venezuela, and began his career as a violinist. Like departing Los Angeles Philharmonic Music Director Gustavo Dudamel, he attended Venezuela's renowned public music education program known as El Sistema. In addition to his role as chief conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, a role he has held since 2021, Hindoyan has served as principal guest conductor for the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra; he has conducted opera productions at New York City's Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Berlin State Opera, Vienna State Opera, Paris Opera, Royal Swedish Opera, Dresden Semperoper, Madrid's Teatro Real and Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu. In a statement, Conlon said he was happy to pass the baton to someone who shares his passion for opera. 'Domingo is an artist of exceptional depth and imagination, and I know the company will welcome him warmly,' Conlon said. Hindoyan's five-year contract will begin July 1, 2026, and continue through the 2031 season. According to a Facebook post from Hindoyan, the new role in L.A. will run concurrently with his position with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Hindoyan, son of Venezuelan violinist Domingo Garcia, a former president of the Orquesta Sinfónica Venezuela, is married to the soprano Sonya Yoncheva, who's singing at the Metropolitan Opera in Tchaikovsky's 'The Queen of Spades.' (Performances are scheduled on Wednesday and Saturday.) The couple has two children and lives in Switzerland. In late April, the album 'Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence & Symphony No. 6 'Pathetique,'' from Hindoyan and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, was released.
Irish Examiner
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Meath and Roscommon forced to settle for draw after thrilling affair
All-Ireland SFC: Roscommon 2-15 (2-5-5) Meath 0-21 (0-5-11) Cork are facing a do-or-die shootout with Davy Burke's Roscommon after the Connacht side posted their first group stage point in the All-Ireland series with a draw against Meath at Dr. Hyde Park Meath had won the previous four championship meetings between the teams, but Enda Smith helped the Rossies get back on level terms in the fifth instalment by kicking three second-half two-pointers after his side trailed by five points at the break. Both sides kicked five two-pointers apiece, and Smith missed a second-half penalty in a game of fluctuating fortunes. Meath, with Ruairí Kinsella, James Conlon and Mathew Costello prominent, always managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Kinsella's 64th minute point left the sides level, but both sides spurned chances to win it coming down the stretch. Kinsella raised his side's first orange flag with the outside of his right boot in the fifth minute before Eoghan Frayne opened up a three-point gap after the visitors capitalised on a Roscommon turnover as Meath enjoyed a healthy wind advantage in the opening 35 minutes. But Roscommon wiped out that deficit when Senan Lambe set up Diarmuid Murtagh for a well-taken goal after seven minutes. Dylan Ruane nudged his side in front after Roscommon worked the ball upfield from goalkeeper Conor Carroll but the excellent James Conlon — who scored 0-5 from play during a productive opening 35 minutes — got off the mark to bring the sides level. In the 15th minute, Roscommon struck for a second goal when Shane Cunnane found Ben O'Carroll raiding in behind the Meath rearguard, and the St. Brigid's forward produced an assured finish past Billy Hogan. Meath began to win the midfield battle, and Roscommon's cause wasn't helped by the loss of Niall Higgins to injury. Conlon added a couple of rapid-fire points before Daire Cregg replied for the Rossies after Lambe grabbed primary possession in the middle of the park. But Meath began to flex their muscles, mostly off Roscommon turnovers and their dominance around the middle. Conlon and Conor Duke sent over a couple of two-pointers in jig time, while Jordan Morris also found the range to open up a 0-12 to 2-3 gap. Menton arced over the Royals' fourth two-pointer of the half, and Conlon soon added to his tally to stretch his side's buffer to six points. Cregg grabbed a much-needed score for Roscommon before Morris and Ciaráin Murtagh — a free on the hooter — left it 0-16 to 2-5 in favour of Meath at the change of ends. The second half was laden with drama as Smith put a missed 41st-minute penalty behind him to spearhead his side's recovery. Billy Hogan's 46th minute two-point free from 45 metres, following earlier points from Seán Coffey and Frayne, left Meath 0-20 to 2-9 ahead but Robbie Brennan's side would only trouble the scoreboard once more. Diarmuid Murtagh kicked a couple of two-pointers, while Smith added another to leave the Rossies ahead by the bare minimum with nine minutes remaining. Kinsella restored parity, although both sides will rue missed chances in the final five minutes. Mathew Costello fisted against the crossbar after a surging run, with substitute Conor Gray unable to force the rebound home, while Meath full-back Seán Rafferty produced a brilliant tackle at the death to deny Ben O'Carroll when he looked certain to score the winner. Scorers for Roscommon: D Murtagh (1-4, 2 tp), E Smith (0-6, 3 tp), B O'Carroll (1-0), D Cregg (0-2), D Ruane (0-1), S Lambe (0-1), C Murtagh (0-1, 1f) each. Meath: J Conlon (0-6, 1 tp), R Kinsella (0-3, 1 tp), E Frayne (0-2), C Duke (0-2, 1 tp), B Menton (0-2, 1 tp), J Morris (0-2), B Hogan (0-2, 1 tpf), M Costello (0-1, 1f), S Coffey (0-1). Roscommon: C Carroll; N Higgins, C Neary, D Murray; R Daly, B Stack, S Lambe; E Nolan, S Cunnane; D Ruane, C Murtagh, E Smith, D Murtagh, D Cregg, B O'Carroll. Subs: P Frost for Higgins (14), D Smith for C Murtagh (49), C McKeon for Ruane (49), K Doyle for Nolan (57), R Fallon for Lambe (64). Meath: B Hogan; S Lavin, S Rafferty, B O'Halloran; D Keogan, S Coffey, C Caulfield; A O'Neill, B Menton; C Duke, R Kinsella, M Costello; J Morris, J Conlon, E Frayne. Subs: C Hickey for Duke (55), K Curtis for Frayne (59), C Gray for Menton (64), J McEntee for Lavin (65), E Harkin for O'Neill (67). Referee: P Faloon (Down).
Irish Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
'The lovely lady' - tears and tributes for woman killed in horror collision
An elderly pedestrian killed when she was hit by a bus on Monday has been described as a 'lovely neighbour' who was 'the salt of the earth.' Named locally as Colette Campbell, in her 80s, she is one of five women who lost their lives in separate road crashes in counties Louth, Meath, Wexford, Clare and Tyrone over the weekend. Ms Campbell has been described by local councillor Bernie Conlon as 'a lovely neighbour with a heart of gold.' Ms Campbell, who lived on Main Street in Dunleer, Co Louth is understood to have just left her home when she was struck by a bus at approximately 12.20pm on Lower Main Street on Monday. Ms Campbell was transferred by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where she was sadly pronounced dead. Her tragic death has left the local community in shock Speaking to Irish Mirror on Monday afternoon, Cllr Conlon said: 'I and the whole community are in shock for the lovely lady, Colette Campbell, who lost her life. 'She was a lovely neighbour who had a heart of gold. I am a neighbour of the McCreanor and Campbell families. It's so sad that at her age she lost her life through tragic circumstances," said Cllr Conlon. 'I am deeply saddened by the loss of Colette which has saddened the whole community. "Everyone knew Colette and she was the salt of the earth," said Cllr Conlon. "I am also so sorry for the emergency services ambulance, the Garda, the paramedics and the fire brigade personnel that came upon such a heartbreaking accident and I feel for the bus driver as well.' The road was closed on Monday afternoon for a technical examination of the scene to be conducted and diversions were in place. Investigating Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. In a statement, An Garda Siochana said: 'Any road users who were at Lower Main Street, Dunleer, between 12:10pm and 12:30pm on Monday, May 26 and may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to Gardai.' Anyone with any information is asked to contact Drogheda Garda Station on 041 9874200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. Ms Campbell's death brings to five the number of women who lost their lives in separate road collisions over the weekend. Mother-of-three and grandmother Theresa Morgan (63), from Ashbourne, Co Meath died when she was struck by a car on the Dublin Road (R135), in Ashbourne on Saturday. Ms Morgan, who was a pedestrian, was pronounced dead at the scene. Another female pedestrian, aged in her 20s, was killed in Wexford on Saturday at around 3pm on the R702 Curragraigue, Enniscorthy. Separately, a female cyclist, understood to be a Canadian tourist on a cycling trip to Ireland, was killed in an incident involving a tractor in Tulla, Co Clare on Saturday. And in Tyrone, Bernadette 'Bernie' Cranley, 82, who was from Lifford in Co. Donegal, died after a two vehicle crash off the A5. Ms Cranley was the driver of a silver Toyota Vitz which was involved in a collision with a blue Suzuki Vitara on the Mellon Road between Omagh and Newtownstewart near the Ulster American Folk Park around 12.30pm on Saturday.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Freight fraud: How criminals found a way in
This fireside chat recap is from FreightWaves' Freight Fraud Symposium in Dallas on May 14. FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: Freight Fraud Dynamics: Root Cause and Preventive Strategies DETAILS: Barry Conlon, CEO of Overhaul, discusses the evolving state of cargo theft and its impact on supply chains. Conlon emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and carrier validation to prevent theft. He also notes the rise in cargo theft due to consumer demand for immediate delivery and the sophistication of modern criminal gangs. He stresses the need for behavioral training, collaboration and advanced technologies like AI to combat these threats effectively. SPEAKER: Barry Conlon, CEO and founder of Overhaul BIO: With over 30 years of experience in supply chain security, Conlon is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of modern-day supply chain security standards and best practices. Prior to founding Overhaul, Conlon was the founder and CEO of FreightWatch, where he played a key role in shaping the industry. KEY QUOTES FROM CONLON: 'My former career was military, and we always used situational awareness. Meaning, do I know what's happening around me? And if I do, do I have a better chance of survival? It's the same principle in supply chain, you have to know who's around you. You have to know, who am I dealing with? Do I know the true identity of this entity. … That's the challenge.' 'The real root cause of [freight fraud] is the increasing rates of cargo theft and the fact that in most cases, the freight was handed over to a criminal. … Shippers are just not accepting that anymore. And I think a lot of you know that your business can be genuinely impacted by this.' 'I can tell you the biggest change is our buying behavior as individuals. … We want to order it online, and [we] want it there later that afternoon. … and you're not questioning how it gets there and when it shows up. [Logistics] didn't operate that way before. … The stolen product is going to be delivered by a legitimate entity that's delivering to your doorstep.' Articles by Grace Sharkey DAT acquires Outgo, enters race to become dominant freight exchange platform Avocados, auto parts and ambushes: Inside Mexico's cargo theft crisis Cyberthreats surge against US logistics infrastructure The post Freight fraud: How criminals found a way in appeared first on FreightWaves.
