Derek McCullagh:DEREK McCULLAGH, who has died aged 66, was a former member of the board of The Irish Timeswhere he worked for many years. He was production director at the time of his retirement in 2002, having previously been financial controller, management services manager and corporate administration director.
"Are you mad?" was one of the questions addressed to him by friends when he left his job as assistant accountant at the Merchants Warehousing Company to join The Irish Timesas assistant financial accountant in 1968. At the time, the newspaper was just about keeping its head above water, not having been very profitable even in its better years.
He had to quickly learn the routines of accounting in a newspaper. He vividly recalled the experience a few days after he joined of meeting Donal Foley, then news editor, for the first time to discuss budgets. It immediately became apparent that it was not a topic for which Foley had a great deal of time or interest.
In his early years at The Irish Times, the newspaper's fortunes took a turn for the better. The minor economic boom of the early 1970s resulted in profits for the three years 1971-73 totalling £1 million – unheard-of prosperity at D'Olier Street.
However the oil crisis of 1974 led to losses for the following three years amounting to £1 million, thereby cancelling the earlier profits. Fortunately, payments for a shareholding in Reuters, following the flotation of the news agency, made it possible to purchase a new printing press that was badly needed.
Derek McCullagh worked with successive editors to find funding for the various editorial developments that enabled The Irish Timesto realise the strong readership and circulation figures that are the foundations of its success today.
He played an important role in the transition from hot-metal technology, in which pages for the printing press were created by pouring molten lead into moulds, to computer-based photo-composition in the 1970s. He was closely involved in the preparation for the move to the new state-of-the-art print plant at Citywest in 2002.
He was a team player. Whenever a mechanical problem threatened the production of the paper his energy, inventiveness and technical know-how could usually be relied on to save the day.
Born in Dublin in 1943, Derek McCullagh was the son of Robert and Betty McCullagh of Clontarf Road in Dublin. His father was secretary-manager of St Patrick’s Hospital and served as president of the Feis Ceoil. Derek attended Greenlanes national school and continued his education at Wesley College, then located on St Stephen’s Green
He served articles with Stokes Bros and Pim (now KPMG) chartered accountants and was admitted to membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1965.
His many interests included acting with the Burrow Players amateur drama group in Sutton. He also was a member of the oldest lay musical organisation in Europe, the Hibernian Catch Club, which was founded in 1680 and of which he was president until last November.
He played scrumhalf with Old Wesley rugby club and remained involved with the club after his playing career ended, serving as president in 1989-90. A keen tennis player, he had recently been made a life member of Clontarf lawn tennis club.
He was a director of the National Print Museum at Beggars Bush and he also had a deep interest in genealogy. Cricket was another interest.
Since his retirement, he spent many happy holidays in France with his wife Hazel.
A popular and respected member of The Irish Timesstaff, he is fondly remembered by former colleagues.
Retired managing director at the newspaper Louis O'Neill said his recruitment of Derek McCullagh to The Irish Timeswas "the best corporate decision" of his life.
He described his former colleague as a “complete professional” who was “exceptional” in all areas of the business. “When trading was difficult, he showed great leadership and was a great example to all the staff and other managers.”
He praised Derek McCullagh’s role in negotiations with staff when change was needed and said he made a “great contribution” to the company. “I was so privileged to work with Derek over such a long period,” he said.
Former Irish Timeseditor Conor Brady described McCullagh as "an immensely charming man" whether dealing with "worried bankers who wanted to see some return for their confidence in The Irish Timesor with the hard-headed men who ran the print unions".
“He was transparently honest and his word was his bond,” he added.
Derek McCullagh is survived by Hazel (née Wallace), their sons Stephen, Gavin and Colin and daughter Jennifer.
Derek Foster McCullagh: born July 22nd, 1943; died April 16th, 2010.