Denis Lynn Scholarship for Sustainable Food Innovation is a bursary of £20,000 towards tuition fees and living expenses for a student on the Advanced Food Safety Masters degree, within the School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), at Queen’s University Belfast.

The award will include an internship at Finnebrogue in County Down, one at the international non-profit organisation Foundation Earth and a third placement at an internationally renowned food producer.

The fund was established in memory of Denis Lynn, who founded Finnebrogue, one of the province’s most successful food companies, and later Foundation Earth. He died tragically last year.

There will be one Denis Lynn scholar at Queen’s annually and that student will have the opportunity to secure a job with the Co Down food company, subject to completing their MSc.

Christine Lynn, Denis’s wife and a Finnebrogue director, said: “Denis was a visionary who worked tirelessly in his personal life and work life to deliver positive change for the planet and people. It is our hope that this scholarship will support others with the same ambition.

“Denis wanted to build a more sustainable food industry and what better way to honour his memory than through continued research and development in this field.”

Denis made his name farming deer on the Finnebrogue estate, outside Downpatrick, and supplying venison to restaurants and retail outlets throughout the UK and Ireland.

In 2017, Finnebrogue made headlines with its Naked Bacon range, processed without nitrites, which sells in most UK supermarkets. It has since expanded to include sausages, ham and other lines.

Some of the scientific research behind the initiative, linking nitrites in processed meat with a higher incidence of cancer, was carried out at IGFS.

Finnebrogue also diversified into grass-fed Wagyu beef burgers, plant-based protein and sausages. More recently, Lynn was the brainchild behind Foundation Earth, a non-profit, international organisation intended to reduce the environmental impact of the global food and drink industry.

It certifies the sustainability credentials of products from participating businesses and displays an ‘Eco Impact’ rating on the front of the food packaging.

Professor Chris Elliott OBE, founder of IGFS at Queen’s and chair of the scientific advisory committee at Foundation Earth said: “Denis was one of the most innovative food producers that I have ever known.

The post Queen’s University and Finnebrogue launch £20,000 scholarship in memory of Denis Lynn first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Late last year NR reported on the major investmentin to the company’s Downpatrick plant, and its significant expansion into the meat-free sector. Denis Lynn was an innovator and a leader in the development of the meat-free products.

Visionary

Described as a visionary with ‘an infectious passion for delivering postive change for the planet and its people, he leaves behind an extraordinary list of achievements.

‘Finnebrogue was his creation. It now falls on all of us – the Finnebrogue family – to continue his outstanding work,’ continued the statement.

‘The Board of Directors has met. Non-executive director David Manning has been appointed interim-chairman with immediate effect. Non-executive director Colin Walsh has been appointed interim deputy-chairman. The senior management team will lead the business on a day-to-day basis.’

The company has set up an email account – RememberingDenis@finnebrogue.com – for anyone who’d wish to send memories and condolences, which the company will compile and publish in due course.

‘Denis was our founder, leader and inspiration. We will best honoour his memory by invoking his passion for making food the best it can possibly be, without being bund by the way it’s always been done – and by trying every day t make the world a better place’ concluded the statement.

Exceptional entrepreneur

Nick Whelan, Chair, Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) said “We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of Denis Lynn, founder and Chairman of Finnebrogue. Denis was an exceptional entrepreneur, a true innovator, and a man of great vision and energy. A strong and very active supporter of NIFDA, Denis was committed to realising the potential of the food and drink industry in Northern Ireland.

“Denis had a real passion for the planet and was at the forefront in demonstrating how food and drink companies can lead the way in enhancing environmental sustainability. Indeed, his commitment to making the world a better place extended beyond his considerable achievements in business. His charity work, championing of his local community and personal kindness provide inspiration to us all.

Lasting legacy

“Denis will be sorely missed by his colleagues at Finnebrogue and right across the food industry and wider business community in Northern Ireland. His contribution to Northern Ireland was immense, and his legacy will leave a significant and lasting imprint for years to come.

“Our thoughts are with Denis’ wife Christine, his children Kerry, Clare, Tara and Ciara and the wider family circle at this very difficult time.”

NR was deeply saddened to hear of the tragedy. In our October issue we reported on the major investment into the Downpatrick plant – followed by an in-depth interview with the company’s CEO Andrew nethercott in the 2021 Yearbook. We have been sincerely impressed by the company’s commitment to meat-free production and its credentials in terms of producing delicious food, that is kind to the planet. This was Mr Lynn’s legacy.

Finnebrogue really is Northern Ireland’s leader in the plant based revolution – and continues to be a great inspiration across the food production sector. Condolences to the entire workforce family at Finnebrogue, and to Mr Lynn’s wife and children.

The post Finnebrogue founder dies in tragic quad bike accident – NR offers condolences first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.