Irish businessman Martin Naughton dies aged 87

Martin Naughton, the Irish businessman who founded Glen Electric and grew it into the multinational Glen Dimplex, has died aged 87. Naughton started the company in Newry in 1973. It became Glen Dimplex four years later after acquiring a larger British rival and later owned brands including Morphy Richards and Lec.

Business career He expanded the firm into a major electrical goods manufacturer with operations across several countries.

and his wife Carmel directed substantial personal wealth toward education and the arts on both sides of the Irish border. In 2001 the couple gave £500,000 to establish the Naughton Gallery at Queen's University Belfast. In 2007 they donated £1 million toward the rebuilding of the Lyric Theatre in Belfast.

In 2018 the family made what is described as the largest private philanthropic gift in the history of the Irish state, donating €25 million to Trinity College Dublin.

“Martin's vision, generosity and commitment to supporting universities have left an enduring legacy.”

“It's been my great honour and privilege to have known such an inspiring and generous man.”