Brendan Mooney, CEO of Kainos Group PLC, has discussed future growth plans for the IT company and reflected on the key factors behind its success during an insightful event hosted by Belfast Chamber.
Mr Mooney, whose £1bn company employs 3,000 people, was the keynote speaker at the Leadership Lunch, held at the Merchant Hotel, in partnership with RBC Brewin Dolphin. The event brought together business leaders from across a wide array of sectors to gain valuable insights from one of Northern Ireland’s most remarkable business success stories.
During the Chamber event, he discussed Kainos’s future ambitions, which include expanding its customer base of over 1,200 global clients which includes household names such as Netflix, Citi, and Just Eat, and the opportunity to drive productivity by embracing emerging technology such as artificial intelligence.
Addressing an engaged Belfast business audience, Mr Mooney emphasised that businesses are either in growth mode or decline – never a steady state.
“Talent, ambition, and a shared sense of purpose have been the foundation of Kainos’ success,” he remarked. “Looking ahead, we are excited about our continued growth, including plans for a new head office on Dublin Road. This project will not only serve our team but also contribute to the regeneration of the area.
“The value of business forecasting cannot be underestimated, there is always the potential for something to go wrong, meaning it helps to be prepared.
“Our enduring relationships with customers, combined with a forward-looking approach to both challenges and opportunities, have kept us at the forefront of the industry.”
Mr Mooney had stepped down as CEO of Kainos in September 2023, having been chief executive for 22 years, before returning to the role in December.
His journey with Kainos began in 1989 as a trainee software engineer. Over the years, he advanced through leadership roles across Dublin, London, and the United States before becoming CEO in 2001, a position he held for 22 years. His tenure has been marked by extraordinary growth and transformation at Kainos cementing its position as one of Northern Ireland’s leading companies.
A key milestone was its IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2015, which valued the company at £161 million. By 2023, Kainos’s valuation had soared to £1.77 billion.
Belfast Chamber CEO Clare Guinness praised Brendan’s visionary leadership and the great example his story offers to local businesses.
“Brendan Mooney’s journey with Kainos is an extraordinary example of what can be achieved with ambition, innovation and strong talent from right here in Belfast,” Clare said.
“He is a true trailblazer. His leadership has elevated Kainos to a global stage whilst keeping his feet, along with Kainos headquarters right here where it all began. Brendan’s experience and success acts as an inspiration as to what can be achieved by businesses in Northern Ireland”.
For more information on Belfast Chamber’s events, visit www.belfastchamber.com.