Hugh O’Donnell is the former CEO of Clonmel-based engineering firm Kentz, who under his leadership became a global player in the oil-services sector.
After graduating from the University of Limerick in 1987 as a mechanical engineer, Hugh O’Donnell had planned on moving to the US but instead ended up spending a decade in South Africa working at a state-of-the-art coal mine in Standerton, about 170km east of Johannesburg for Anglo American.
At 35, he was appointed as CEO of Kentz and helped grow the company to a $2 billion global operation with over 14,000 employees in 36 countries.
“We Irish abroad work really well, we have this enormous tolerance for ambiguity which other cultures don’t have.”
Speaking on what contributed to their international success, Hugh cites twin-tracked USPs of unique technical skills combined with their ability to automate industrial facilities, engineer, design and roll these out globally and building a relationship with large oil and gas companies who didn’t possess these skills. Hugh also believes Kentz’ ability to adapt and thrive while working with multiple diverse cultures made to company stand out.
“We Irish abroad work really well, we have this enormous tolerance for ambiguity which other cultures don’t have. We deal with chaos more than others do and in my experience and where there’s chaos, there’s cash.”
“Where there’s chaos, there’s cash.”
At the height of the economic crisis, Hugh successfully lead Kentz’ IPO, which was a great success. In 2008, he went on to win the award for CEO for IPO of the Year London Stock Exchange. The same year Hugh was the winner of the UL Alumni Businessman of the Year and in 2009, he was the winner of Ernst and Young’s International Entrepreneur of the Year.
Speaking of his success, he says; “Motivational theory tells us that the two biggest motivators
