Denis O'Brien (He/Him)

Founder at Digicel Group

Denis O’Brien is an entrepreneur, the founder of Digicel Group, and philanthropist from Dublin, Ireland. In addition to creating numerous enterprises in telecommunications, O’Brien sits on organisation boards in both the industry and philanthropy. He studied at University College Dublin, receiving a BA in Politics and History, followed by earning an MBA in Corporate Finance from Boston College in 1982.

Denis O’Brien first founded Communicorp in 1989, started Esat Telecom in 1991 and, after the sale of Esat, founded Digicel Group in 2001. After two decades, Digicel is now a Digital Operator in over 25 markets delivering mobile, broadband, entertainment, and managed IT services to 10m+ customers.

In addition to Denis O’Brien’s business interests and holdings, he also pursues altruistic endeavours. O’Brien is the founder and patron of the Digicel Foundation, which has invested over US$180 million into communities in Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, focusing on access to education, COVID-19 resources, and more.

More specifically, Denis O’Brien has kept a special focus on supporting education initiatives amongst his philanthropic efforts, which has included generous contributions to his alma maters. At University College Dublin, he gifted the O’Brien Centre for Science which has helped the university grow its scientific community. Additionally, O’Brien established the O’Brien Fellowship at Boston College Carroll School of Management in which recipients receive full financial coverage for tuition, books, fees, living expenses, and international travel for their MBA programme. Similarly, he has backed Trinity College Dublin and Dublin City University.

More generally, Denis O’Brien is involved in human rights, special needs efforts and expanding broadband access to disadvantaged communities. O’Brien founded the Iris O’Brien Foundation, an advocacy organisation focused on human rights, special needs assistance, educational programmes, and disaster aid. He’s the Chairman of the Council of Patrons for Special Olympics Ireland and also serves as Chairman of the Haiti Action Network under the Clinton Global Initiative and as a United Nations Broadband Commissioner for Digital Development.

Location

Kingston, Jamaica

Links

Timeline

  • Founder

    2001 - present

  • Chairman