FINNEBROGUE Artisan has promised to continue the legacy of founding chairman Denis Lynn who died in a quad bike accident at the weekend.
Hailed as an “innovator and visionary”, Mr Lynn died following a tragic incident at his home in Killyleagh on Sunday.
Mr Lynn (63) became synonymous with his Downpatrick-based firm, which now employs 1,000 people over four local sites.
On buying Finnebrogue Estate on the outskirts of the town in 1991, the former potato chip seller turned to beef and deer farming and established Finnebrogue as the biggest venison processor and supplier in the UK.
He then produced quality sausages, supplying Marks and Spencer and other leading retailers, and developed the nitrate-free bacon brand, Naked Bacon, in 2017.
More recently, Finnebrogue has diversified into developing meat-free products.
The firm’s senior management team will now lead the business with non-executive director David Manning stepping up as interim-chairman and non-executive director Colin Walsh as interim deputy-chairman.
A company statement paid tribute to Mr Lynn, who is survived by his wife Christine, daughters Kerry, Clare, Tara and Ciara, and his wider family circle.
It said: “Denis was an innovator and a visionary with an infectious passion for delivering positive change for the planet and its people. He leaves behind an extraordinary list of achievements.
“Denis also leaves behind Finnebrogue and a vision for its future. Finnebrogue was his creation. It now falls on all of us — the Finnebrogue family — to continue his outstanding work.”
The statement promised to continue the company’s founder’s work in the way he would have wanted.
It continued: “Denis was our founder, leader and inspiration. We will best honour his memory by invoking his passion for making food the best it can possibly be, without being bound by the way it’s always been done — and by trying every day to make the world a better place.”
Mr Lynn’s accomplishments and contribution to employment in Downpatrick and local charitable causes were lauded by politicians.
South Down MP Chris Hazzard said his “thoughts were with his family and friends and everybody at Finnebrogue who will miss him greatly”.
Strangford MP Jim Shannon remembered the businessman as a friend of over 30 years, having first met him when they were both running businesses.
He said: “Always cheerful and approachable Denis was eager to help and assist and his charitable donations were often done under the radar but made a big difference for those who needed it.
“At this time of grief and sorrow, I would like to convey to the family my sincere condolences. I know that his legacy will live on through his family and thriving business.”
DUP MLA Jim Wells spoke of how shocked the community were to learn of the sudden death, adding: “He made a huge contribution to the economic life of the area.”
Former SDLP leader and South Down MP Baroness Margaret Ritchie praised Mr Lynn for developing “world class products and new brands in the food processing industry such as the specialised bacon”.
She added: “Denis showed what hard work and determination can achieve. My deepest sympathies to his widow and family who will feel his loss.”
South Down MLA Colin McGrath described Mr Lynn as “an entrepreneur who worked hard and delivered hundreds of jobs to the Downpatrick area”.
He added: “He cared about our area and his charity work was understated and had impact, especially in Africa.”
Local DUP councillor Billy Walker described Mr Lynn as a “hugely successful businessman” and a “great ambassador” for the district.
“Denis was an absolute gentleman and I was privileged to know him for many years,” Mr Walker said.
“He was extremely generous and supported many fundraisers I was involved in. He was always the first person to put his hand in his pocket.
“Only recently he sponsored a book of poems written by a Killyleagh woman after her son had been killed.
“I would like to offer my heartfelt sympathy to his wife and family.”
SDLP Councillor Terry Andrews spoke of his sadness at learning of the businessman’s death.
“Mr Lynn did so much for the local community and I will be keeping his family and friends in my thoughts and prayers.”
Alliance councillor Patrick Brown described the news of Mr Lynn’s death as “devastating”.
“This was a tragic accident and one which has cruelly claimed the life of Denis when he had so much more life to live.”
UUP councillor Alan Lewis praised Mr Lynn’s entrepreneurial abilities.
“Anyone who has the vision and courage to set up, run and maintain their own business does so with dedication and commitment to energise and invest within their local community,” he said.
“By recognising opportunities and homegrown talent, he developed and built a brand recognised nationally as well as internationally.”
Mr Lynn supported a number of organisations, including the Killyleagh Summer League which organises soccer for local children.
League chairman Chris Hagan thanked Mr Lynn for “willingly, quietly and generously’’ stepping in when the league sought its first title sponsor in its 70-year history.
“He gladly agreed when we first asked for support in 2019,” Mr Hagan said. “The fit was perfect as we sought a brand that was local, appropriate and ethical for sponsoring sporting activity by boys and girls,’’
“We were not the first organisation in the Killyleagh area to benefit from his interest, but his link to the league was a partnership with young people that genuinely pleased him.
Mr Hagan added: “He leaves behind an extraordinary list of achievements including inspiring young people for the future.’’
Mr Lynn’s funeral will take place on Friday.