LIAM HEALY, the chief executive of Independent Newspapers, has carved a reputation in Irish business as an exceptional manager.
While most attention has focused on colourful Dr Tony O'Reilly, Mr Healy's understated business style has steered the group to remarkable global success.
Aged 69, he was educated in St Nathy's College, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, and married Ms Eithne Corrigan. He is described as a shrewd, quiet spoken man with a deceptively mild manner.
He joined the Independent Group in 1963, and after some years became its finance director. In 1970 he was appointed head of its Irish businesses, and in 1981 he took control of the international division.
He guided the group's Australian acquisitions, and saw the profits of Australian Provincial Newspapers double in two years, to the equivalent of £10.4 million.
When he took over at the helm of Independent Newspapers at the start of January, 1991, the company's share price was at an all time low, and he exceeded expectations that he could turn around its fortunes.
As chief executive, he has played the key role in Independent's continuing expansion - the highlights include its purchase of sizeable stakes in Newspaper Publishing, which owns the London Independent; Argus, the largest newspaper group in South Africa; and New Zealand's Wilson & Horton media group.
He also increased Independent Newspaper's dominance in the Irish market; the group now owns The Irish Independent, The Sunday Independent, the Evening Herald, the Sunday World, 10 local papers, 50 per cent of The Star and has 29.9 per cent stake in the Sunday Tribune, which it controls financially, and the titles of the Irish Press group.
He is a member of the boards of directors of National Irish Bank, Allied Smokeless Fuels and Australian Provincial Newspapers.