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By Beth Kocher Gormley, Communications & PR Manager, UCD College of Business

Honorary degrees are conferred by the University to recognise distinguished individuals for their sustained excellence in scholarly, scientific or artistic endeavour or for outstanding professional or philanthropic activity to advance the public good.

Professor Anthony Brabazon, Dean UCD College of Business, Angela Moore, Professor Orla Feely, President UCD and Dr Maeve Houlihan, Associate Dean, UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business

Angela Moore

“In honouring Angela Moore, we recognise her many accomplishments as a business leader, entrepreneur, mentor and leader of educational transformation. Most of all we recognise her as an inspirational and empowering role model for us all,” said Professor Anthony Brabazon, Dean of UCD College of Business. 

The Newry, Co. Down native was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Economic Science. Moore splits her time between the US and Ireland and is Managing Partner of Ravensdale Capital, an investment fund which provides angel and venture capital investment to start-up and early-stage technology businesses, with a focus on consumer data analytics and decision sciences. She is also Managing Director of Macha Capital Partners, a private investment fund focused on investments in emerging, growth-orientated businesses in Ireland, with a special focus on women-led initiatives.  

“A common strand running through Angela’s engagements is her selfless focus on societal development and a commitment to the building of a better world,” continued Dean Brabazon. “Amongst the themes closest to Angela’s heart are the encouragement and support of budding entrepreneurs, and closely aligned with that, a fundamental belief in the capability of education to transform understanding, perspective, opportunity, and ultimately, society.”

Along with her late husband George, a serial entrepreneur and one of the founding fathers of the global data analytics industry, Angela and the Moore family have generously supported investment in the education of future generations. 

Angela was the founding donor of the UCD Moore Centre for Business at UCD Quinn School, which is a unique developmental setting for business students at UCD. It provides an environment to support teamwork and interaction, collaborative learning in the classroom and also incorporates technology-enabled learning to provide a transformational educational experience.

“It is particularly important to me to support students who don’t have the opportunity of a third-level education. Likewise, I feel it’s a way to give back and every graduate can pay it forward in their own small way,” said Moore.

“UCD teaches students to think big and think globally. This University is known for its successful graduates who have all made a difference in their various fields. UCD students encourage, support and grow innovation. Please keep up the good work.”
“I’m so very happy to receive this award because it means I’m finally, and officially, part of the UCD family!” concluded Moore. 

Anthony Smurfit

Professor Anthony Brabazon, Dean UCD College of Business, Anthony Smurfit, Professor Orla Feely, President UCD

“In awarding the honorary degree of Doctor of Science, we recognise Tony Smurfit’s career of achievement at the very highest level of business and the impact of someone who has reshaped their industry at a global level,” said Dean Brabazon. 

Anthony Smurfit is the President and Group Chief Executive Officer and Director of Smurfit Westrock. He joined Jefferson Smurfit Group in 1986, and in the early years of his career served in several 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.

Earlier this year, he 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 the group. Headquartered in Dublin, the Smurfit Westrock group has annual revenues over $32bn and employs over 100,000 people across 40 countries.

In addition to his leadership of Smurfit Westrock, Anthony 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. He maintains an active connection with UCD and generously gives his time to speak at UCD events and meet with students.

“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, which he identifies as integrity, safety, loyalty and respect,” continued Dean Brabazon.

“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.”