Gavin Duffy

Gavin Duffy
Born	(1960-04-29) April 29, 1960 Sallins, County Kildare, Ireland
Occupation(s)	Businessman, entrepreneur, television personality
Known for	Co-owner of HRM Group; Investor on Dragons' Den; 2018 Irish presidential candidate
Notable work	Dragons' Den (RTÉ)
Spouse	Orlaith Carmody

Gavin Duffy (originally named Liam Duffy; born 29 April 1960) is an Irish businessman and entrepreneur, previously a co-owner of the HRM Group of Companies, which ranks among Ireland's leading recruitment agencies. He is well-known for delivering presentations at numerous business events throughout Ireland. In 2018, he stood as a candidate in the Irish presidential election, although he was not elected.

Early life

The youngest of three siblings, Duffy spent his childhood in Sallins, County Kildare. His father, Ned Duffy, managed a pig farming operation, while his mother, Anne Duffy, was proprietor of The Gem restaurant located in Naas. Following outbreaks of swine fever during the early 1970s, the family sold their farm and moved to Drogheda, County Louth, where they acquired a public house. Duffy attended St. Joseph's Secondary School in Drogheda and later completed his Leaving Certificate at Newbridge College.

Career

Following his education, Duffy established Boyneside Radio in Drogheda and adopted the name Gavin instead of Liam for professional branding purposes. In 1989, he spearheaded a consortium that launched LMFM, Ireland’s first officially licensed provincial local radio station. He later sold LMFM to UTV in 2004 for approximately €10 million—a transaction that Duffy asserts set a record in Ireland and the UK for broadcast asset valuation multiples. In 1992, alongside his wife Orlaith Carmody, he co-founded Gavin Duffy and Associates, a media and management consultancy firm. Additionally, he contributed to RTÉ by hosting the business show Marketplace and participating in various other programs.

Duffy has appeared as an investor on all eight seasons of Dragons' Den, produced by RTÉ. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Drogheda Chamber of Commerce in 2016. The following year, he served as moderator for the Fine Gael leadership debates that resulted in Leo Varadkar becoming both party leader and Taoiseach. His advisory roles have extended to politicians from both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parties, including coaching several Taoisigh.

He holds the position of chairman at Bizworld Ireland, a charitable organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship education among primary school students. Moreover, Duffy acts as patron for Suzanne House and the Drogheda Classical Music Series. Previously, he chaired the Hunting Association of Ireland and was involved in organizing events supporting hunting activities amid opposition from animal rights advocates.

2018 presidential campaign

In the 2018 presidential election, Duffy secured nominations sequentially from Meath County Council on 3 September, followed by endorsements from Carlow County Council and Wicklow County Council on 10 September, and ultimately from Waterford City and County Council on 14 September.

During the campaign period, media outlets revisited a 1978 incident when Duffy, aged 18 at the time, was involved in a traffic accident causing serious injury and was convicted of careless driving; he expressed remorse regarding this event. He also acknowledged regret over receiving a dangerous driving ban at age 33 due to speeding violations but did not comment on an earlier ban at age 21 for driving without valid tax or insurance. In the election results, Duffy obtained 2.2% of votes cast, placing last among six contenders.

Personal life

He has lived in Bellewstown, County Meath, for more than two decades alongside his spouse Orlaith Carmody and their four children.