Anthony Smurfit
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN
HONORARY CONFERRING
Tuesday, 3 September 2024 at 2.30am
TEXT OF THE INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS DELIVERED BY PROFESSOR ANTHONY BRABAZON, College Principal and Dean of the College of Business, on 3 September 2024, on the occasion of the conferring of the Degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa on ANTHONY P. SMURFIT.
__________________________________
President, Graduates, Colleagues, Honoured Guests,
I am honoured this afternoon to introduce Tony Smurfit.
Commencing his education in St Gerard's School in Bray he subsequently studied at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Management.
Tony joined Jefferson Smurfit Group in 1986, and in the early years of his career served in a number of postings across Europe and the United States.
He became CEO of the company's European division in 1999, COO of the Smurfit group in 2002, and in 2015 he was appointed CEO of Smurfit Kappa.
The Smurfit group’s story is truly unique - particularly when we consider that the company originated as a small box-making company based in Rathmines in the 1930s.
The Ireland of the time had a tiny manufacturing base and little forestry.
So how did the fledgling company which had no natural advantages in terms of markets or raw materials grow to become Ireland’s first true multinational?
What Smurfit did have of course over the decades, was exceptional human capital, in terms of its leadership, direction and team spirit.
Earlier this year, Tony led the successful merger with the US packaging company Westrock to form Smurfit Westrock, becoming the global leader in the sustainable paper and packaging sector.
The merger with Westrock marks the latest very distinguished chapter in the storied history of Smurfit.
Headquartered in Dublin, the group now has annual revenues in excess of $32bn and employs over 100,000 people across 40 countries.
In addition to his leadership of Smurfit Westrock, Tony has made an immense contribution to business and society in Ireland and overseas through his service on a wide variety of boards, including amongst others, those of Aer Rianta, C&C Group, the Irish National Stud, the Turf Club, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, and IBEC.
Despite his exceptionally busy schedule, Tony has maintained an active connection with UCD over the years and has generously given of his time to speak at UCD events and to meet with students.
As with all outstanding leaders, some of the most frequent questions asked of Tony concern his perspectives on leadership – and also for his perspectives on what makes the Smurfit group ‘special’.
A key theme that Tony emphasises when asked for his views on leadership is the importance of a strong team-based organisational culture based on clear purpose and core values.
Tony identifies the Smurfit group’s core values as ‘integrity, safety, loyalty, and respect’.
An organisation’s values are given meaning through its leaders - and they require continual nourishment to remain vibrant and meaningful.
Tony animates the values daily through his actions and it is telling that one of the attributes of the Smurfit group of which he is most proud is the longevity of service of many of its staff, speaking directly to his belief in these values.
Another important element of the Smurfit story and of its culture is the emphasis the group places on being an embedded member of the community in each of its many global locations – and on supporting local projects across these communities.
Over 100,000 people benefited globally from these initiatives in 2023.
In honouring Tony Smurfit today, we recognise a career of achievement at the very highest level of business, we recognise the impact of someone who has reshaped their industry at a global level, and we recognise a leader who provides an inspirational and empowering role model for UCD’s student and alumni community.
I am honoured to present to you – Tony Smurfit
Praehonorabilis Praeses, totaque Universitas,
Praesento vobis hanc meam filium, quam scio tam moribus quam doctrina habilem et idoneam esse quae admittatur, honoris causa, ad Gradum Doctoratus in Scientiae Oeconomica; idque tibi fide mea testor ac spondeo, totique Academiae.