A doctoral degree in food technology is an unusual qualification for the chief executive of a media company, but it put Gerry Murphy on the road to his current post. He joined Express Foods Ireland, part of Grand Metropolitan, in 1978 to work in product development and was involved with the Baileys Irish Cream project, masterminded by the late David Dand.

His progress in the company was rapid and after a period in the US and Britain, he returned to Ireland in 1991 to head up the recently privatised Greencore under Mr Bernie Cahill, his former boss at Express.

Much was expected of the 35-year-old Mr Murphy, and there was some surprise when he left after four years to join the National Freight Company (NFC) in Britain. During his time in charge at Greencore he failed to engineer the much-needed strategic shift at the sugar to fertiliser group that had been anticipated.

His five years at NFC, by comparison, were marked by substantial progress at the former state-owned company, and ended with a £3.2 billion merger with the Ocean freight group. Mr Murphy pocketed a £1.5 million pay off, plus shares in the business.