Connaught Members' Network in association with IT Sligo.
Guest Panelists: David Raethorne, Lough Gill Distillery and Paul Mullin, White Hag Brewing Co.
This networking evening includes a wine reception and an opportunity to meet with fellow members.
Booking is essential
David Raethorne
David studied commercial computer programming at DIT before going on to found Systems Solutions in 1987 to develop software for the pharmacy sector in Ireland. Rebranded Helix Health in 2006, it became the largest indigenous healthcare software company in Ireland. It embarked on a roll up strategy in the UK before being sold to Eli Global in 2014.
David invested in the Smiles Dental Group in 2011 and was involved in the Smiles acquisition of James Hull in 2012, which turned that business into one of the largest private dental groups in the UK and Ireland (1,200 staff and £50m turnover). The business was sold to Oasis Dental in 2014.
Director and shareholder in Global Shares plc, which develops software for the management and trading of employee share options. The company is located in Clonakilty and employs 130 people.
David founded Causeway Capital Partners in 2016 and launched a €50m fund, backed by AIB, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and the European Investment Fund. To date it has invested in BB’s Bakers & Baristas, Bizimply (a cloud based time and attendance system for bars and restaurants) and Celtic Linen (Hospitality sector).
Together with previous investors in Smiles and Helix Health, he acquired Hazelwood House in Sligo in 2015. They received planning in 2016 to build one of the largest single malt whiskey distilleries in Ireland, as well as a premium tourism business, which they hope to become a signature venue on the Wild Atlantic Way, drawing up to 200,000 visitors per annum.
Paul Mullin
Paul qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2008, serving his apprenticeship with a local accountancy firm in Sligo before opening a practice in Ballymote with fellow White Hag Director Brian McTernan. The practice continues to grow its client base and specialises in advising SMEs on business start-up, supply chain management and retail margin analysis.
Since 2014, The White Hag Irish Brewing Company produces craft beers from its brewing facility in Ballymote Business Park, in South Sligo. Paul leads his multifunctional team on the global quest to be the best Irish craft beer in the world. After only two years, the business has a customer base in Ireland, Italy, the UK, Northern Ireland, France, Russia, Germany and China and continues to expand.
Awards to date:
Best new Irish Brewery 2015 – Global ratings platform RateBeer.com; Winner of 7 medals at The Dublin Craft Beer Cup in February 2016; Best Start-up in Connacht at the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Awards.