Bill Cullen (businessman)
Encyclopedia
William 'Bill' Cullen is an Irish
businessman, philanthropist
, reality TV & media personality. He is the former owner of the Renault Ireland
franchise until it was taken under more direct control by Renault in 2007. A well-known figure in Ireland, Cullen has made numerous appearances on RTÉ's
The Late Late Show
and his autobiography became a best-seller. He is listed as one of Ireland’s top 100 businessmen.
, Bill Cullen was the eldest of fourteen children, seven boys and seven girls. Cullen was born in a stable which was considered a good luck omen at the time. His mother, Mary Darcy Cullen was a fruit seller and Cullen started trading at market stalls from a very young age. His father Billy was in the Irish Army Reserve and was for the most part unemployed, or working on the dock and getting labour that was not much for the Cullen family.
at the age of thirteen to work on the markets full-time, selling fruit, vegetables and other items. In 1956 he worked as a messenger boy at Walden's Ford Dealership and was appointed director general of the company in 1965. He went on to set up the Fairlane Motor Company in Tallaght
in 1977 which he developed into the biggest Ford dealership in Ireland by 1981. In 1986 he took over the franchise for Renault car distribution from Waterford Crystal
. The initial purchase price of the operation was £1, however the deal entailed taking on a debt burden of £18 million. This company became known as the Glencullen Group and the Renault distribution arm became known as Glencullen Distributors. Turnover of the business grew to €350 Million at its peak, but fell to €4 million loss in 2006, an €18.6 million loss in 2007, and a further loss of €8.2 million in 2008. Prior to the losses, in April 2006 he was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur
by decree of the President of the French Republic for work with Renault Ireland.
Following losses, the Renault operation was taken into direct control by Renault S.A.S in 2006. It now operates as a subsidiary of the parent company. He continues to own Ireland's largest Renault retailer, CityGate Motor Group. It has six dealerships around the country - three of which are in Dublin. He also set up and owns the Europa Academy, a training facility in Swords
, north County Dublin. He took over the Muckross Park Hotel in Killarney
in 1990 with his partner, Jackie Lavin, who is also his business partner. The hotel achieved 5 Star status in 2007, and - in the same year - ran at losses of €9.4 million.
Cullen set up the Bill Cullen Sunshine Scholarships Fund in 2001 in order to assist young athletes make the transition to senior athletics while continuing their third level education in Ireland.
In September 2004, he was awarded the inaugural Princess Grace Humanitarian Award.
He was named Maxol Irish Motor Industry Person of the Year 2000.
He was conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Law of Maynooth University in May 2005
, Tubridy Tonight
and The Restaurant
on RTÉ
He has been parodied by Tom Dunne
for several years on the Today FM
Gift Grub
comedy segment. This has led to him being referred to as 'Dr. Bill' because of his honorary doctorate. Most recently he has taken on the role as the businessman in the Irish version of TV show The Apprentice
.
began inviting applications for an Irish version of popular television franchise
The Apprentice. In the programme, Cullen takes on the role filled in the U.S. version
by Donald Trump
, and in the UK version by Alan Sugar
. His partner Jackie Lavin also acts as a mentor to the apprentices. The show started its fourth season in October 2011.
called it a "entertaining and inspirational" book, while Pauline Ferrie of The Irish Emigrant praised Cullen's decision that all royalties from the book would be donated to the Irish Youth Foundation.
In 2005 Cullen released his second book Golden Apples: Six Simple Steps to Success (ISBN 03408389810), a self-help book in which he details principles to achieving business success. Related to this release, Cullen took the Guinness World Record on 16 April 2005 for the largest ever book signing by signing 1849 copies of Golden Apples in 10.5 hours in Easons
, O’Connell Street. This was 32 copies more than the previous record.
, an Irish political party, on a number of occasions. Glencullen Holdings made political donations during 2002 of €13,459. In 2005, he donated €9,330 to the party, which they controversially did not declare to the Standards in Public Office Commission. In 2006, his company donated €14,873 to the party. His company made further donations of €2,500 to Fianna Fáil
minister Mary Hanafin
in 2007.
Cullen was critical of the Green Party in government, particularly the effect the change in Vehicle Registration Tax
and motor taxation policy in July 2008 had on the Irish motor industry. He blamed the party for the collapse in new vehicle sales in 2009, saying that these changes were unnecessary. In response, the party's finance spokesperson, Dan Boyle
, called the claims "hysterical and widely inaccurate".
He was also one of a number of high profile members along with Packie Bonner
and Mick Galwey of the group 'We Belong' who campaigned for a yes vote in the second Irish constitutional referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
's Virgin Galactic
service at a cost of $200,000.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
businessman, philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, reality TV & media personality. He is the former owner of the Renault Ireland
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
franchise until it was taken under more direct control by Renault in 2007. A well-known figure in Ireland, Cullen has made numerous appearances on RTÉ's
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
and his autobiography became a best-seller. He is listed as one of Ireland’s top 100 businessmen.
Early life
Born into poverty in the Summerhill area of Dublin during the Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Bill Cullen was the eldest of fourteen children, seven boys and seven girls. Cullen was born in a stable which was considered a good luck omen at the time. His mother, Mary Darcy Cullen was a fruit seller and Cullen started trading at market stalls from a very young age. His father Billy was in the Irish Army Reserve and was for the most part unemployed, or working on the dock and getting labour that was not much for the Cullen family.
Career
He finished his education with the Christian BrothersCongregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
at the age of thirteen to work on the markets full-time, selling fruit, vegetables and other items. In 1956 he worked as a messenger boy at Walden's Ford Dealership and was appointed director general of the company in 1965. He went on to set up the Fairlane Motor Company in Tallaght
Tallaght
Tallaght is the largest town, and county town, of South Dublin County, Ireland. The village area, dating from at least the 17th century, held one of the earliest settlements known in the southern part of the island, and one of medieval Ireland's more important monastic centres.Up to the 1960s...
in 1977 which he developed into the biggest Ford dealership in Ireland by 1981. In 1986 he took over the franchise for Renault car distribution from Waterford Crystal
Waterford Crystal
Waterford Crystal is a trademark brand of crystal glassware, previously produced in Waterford, Ireland, though the factory there was shut down after the receivership of Waterford Wedgwood plc in early 2009...
. The initial purchase price of the operation was £1, however the deal entailed taking on a debt burden of £18 million. This company became known as the Glencullen Group and the Renault distribution arm became known as Glencullen Distributors. Turnover of the business grew to €350 Million at its peak, but fell to €4 million loss in 2006, an €18.6 million loss in 2007, and a further loss of €8.2 million in 2008. Prior to the losses, in April 2006 he was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
by decree of the President of the French Republic for work with Renault Ireland.
Following losses, the Renault operation was taken into direct control by Renault S.A.S in 2006. It now operates as a subsidiary of the parent company. He continues to own Ireland's largest Renault retailer, CityGate Motor Group. It has six dealerships around the country - three of which are in Dublin. He also set up and owns the Europa Academy, a training facility in Swords
Swords, Dublin
Swords is the county town of Fingal in Ireland. It is about 13 km north of Dublin city centre and is part of its commuter belt.- History :...
, north County Dublin. He took over the Muckross Park Hotel in Killarney
Killarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
in 1990 with his partner, Jackie Lavin, who is also his business partner. The hotel achieved 5 Star status in 2007, and - in the same year - ran at losses of €9.4 million.
Other business positions
As well as his interests in the motor and hotel industries, Cullen also hold executive positions in other areas:-- In March 2009 Cullen became an Executive Editor of RSVP business magazine
- Bill Cullen sits on the board of Directors of Dublin Airport AuthorityDublin Airport AuthorityDublin Airport Authority plc is the state-owned airport authority in the Republic of Ireland. With a head office on the grounds of Dublin Airport in Fingal, County Dublin, the authority also owned the Great Southern Hotels which had nine sites throughout the island of Ireland and international...
- Cullen also offers his services as a paid motivational speakerMotivational speakerA motivational speaker or inspirational speaker is a speaker who makes speeches intended to motivate or inspire an audience. In a business context, they are employed to communicate company strategy with clarity and help employees to see the future in a positive light and inspire workers to pull...
to schools, colleges, and the business community.
Philanthropic work
Cullen became involved in a voluntary capacity with the charity "The Irish Youth Foundation" a number of years after it had been established. After a number of years he became more involved in it and eventually became Chairman in 1996, 11 years after it began. It claims to raise €1.5 million a year for youth projects in Ireland. All royalties from Cullen's 2002 autobiography, It's a Long Way from Penny Apples, were donated to this charity.Cullen set up the Bill Cullen Sunshine Scholarships Fund in 2001 in order to assist young athletes make the transition to senior athletics while continuing their third level education in Ireland.
Recognition of achievements
In 1998, he was a recipient of the Lord Mayor's Award for his work with the disadvantaged young people of Dublin.In September 2004, he was awarded the inaugural Princess Grace Humanitarian Award.
He was named Maxol Irish Motor Industry Person of the Year 2000.
He was conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Law of Maynooth University in May 2005
Involvement in the Media
Cullen regularly appears in the Irish media and is considered a minor celebrity, appearing on television shows, such as The Late Late ShowThe Late Late Show
The Late Late Show, sometimes referred to as The Late Late, or in some cases by the acronym LLS, is the world's longest-running chat show by the same broadcaster and the official flagship television programme of Irish broadcasting company RTÉ...
, Tubridy Tonight
Tubridy Tonight
Tubridy Tonight is an Irish chat show hosted by Ryan Tubridy that aired for five series on RTÉ One between 2004 and 2009. The programme featured guest interviews , audience participation and live music from both a guest music group and the house band...
and The Restaurant
The Restaurant (Irish TV series)
The Restaurant is a successful Irish reality television programme broadcast on RTÉ One. The seventh series began on 16 November 2008, running on Sundays at 20:30. In each episode a celebrity head chef takes on the culinary challenge of producing a top class, three-course meal with two...
on RTÉ
He has been parodied by Tom Dunne
Tom Dunne
Thomas 'Tom' Dunne is an Irish radio broadcaster with Newstalk. He presents The Tom Dunne Show on weekday mornings between 10:00am and midday. He used to have a show called Pet Sounds on Today FM but gave it up...
for several years on the Today FM
Today FM
Radio Ireland Ltd, trading as 100-102 Today FM is an Irish commercial FM radio station which is available nationally. The station, which commenced broadcasting on Saint Patrick's Day in 1997, can be received nationally and carries a mix of music and talk...
Gift Grub
Gift Grub
Gift Grub is a series of short comic pieces broadcast on weekdays on the breakfast show of Irish commercial radio station Today FM since 8 May 1999...
comedy segment. This has led to him being referred to as 'Dr. Bill' because of his honorary doctorate. Most recently he has taken on the role as the businessman in the Irish version of TV show The Apprentice
The Apprentice (Irish TV series)
The Apprentice is an Irish reality television series, in which a group of aspiring young businessmen and women compete for the chance to win a job as "apprentice" to business magnate Bill Cullen....
.
The Apprentice
In June 2008, TV3TV3 Ireland
TV3 is a free-to-air commercial television network in the Republic of Ireland. Launched on 20 September 1998 it was Ireland's first commercial broadcaster. The channel is owned by TV3 Group a subsidiary of Doughty Hanson & Co.-The TV3 Group:...
began inviting applications for an Irish version of popular television franchise
Media franchise
A media franchise is an intellectual property involving the characters, setting and trademarks of an original work of media , such as a film, a work of literature, a television program or a video game. Generally, a whole series is made in a particular medium, along with merchandising and endorsements...
The Apprentice. In the programme, Cullen takes on the role filled in the U.S. version
The Apprentice (U.S. TV series)
The Apprentice is an American reality television show hosted by real estate magnate, businessman and television personality Donald Trump, created by Mark Burnett and broadcast on NBC...
by Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump, Sr. is an American business magnate, television personality and author. He is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. Trump's extravagant lifestyle, outspoken manner and role on the NBC reality show The Apprentice have...
, and in the UK version by Alan Sugar
Alan Sugar
Alan Michael Sugar, Baron Sugar is a British entrepreneur, media personality and political advisor. From humble origins in the East End of London, Sugar now has an estimated fortune of £770m , and was ranked 89th in the Sunday Times Rich List 2011...
. His partner Jackie Lavin also acts as a mentor to the apprentices. The show started its fourth season in October 2011.
Books
Cullen released his autobiography entitled It's a Long Way from Penny Apples (ISBN 9780765310439) in 2002 detailing his life growing up in inner city Dublin and rising to become one or Ireland's most successful business people. Deidre Leahy of RTERaidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
called it a "entertaining and inspirational" book, while Pauline Ferrie of The Irish Emigrant praised Cullen's decision that all royalties from the book would be donated to the Irish Youth Foundation.
In 2005 Cullen released his second book Golden Apples: Six Simple Steps to Success (ISBN 03408389810), a self-help book in which he details principles to achieving business success. Related to this release, Cullen took the Guinness World Record on 16 April 2005 for the largest ever book signing by signing 1849 copies of Golden Apples in 10.5 hours in Easons
Eason & Son
Eason & Son is a group involved in the wholesale, distribution and retail of books, newspapers, magazines, stationery and cards on the island of Ireland ....
, O’Connell Street. This was 32 copies more than the previous record.
Politics
Cullen has donated to Fianna FáilFianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
, an Irish political party, on a number of occasions. Glencullen Holdings made political donations during 2002 of €13,459. In 2005, he donated €9,330 to the party, which they controversially did not declare to the Standards in Public Office Commission. In 2006, his company donated €14,873 to the party. His company made further donations of €2,500 to Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
minister Mary Hanafin
Mary Hanafin
Mary Hanafin is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who was a Teachta Dála for Dún Laoghaire from 1997 to 2011. She served as Government Chief Whip , Minister for Education and Science , Minister for Social and Family Affairs , Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport and Minister for Enterprise,...
in 2007.
Cullen was critical of the Green Party in government, particularly the effect the change in Vehicle Registration Tax
Vehicle Registration Tax
Vehicle registration tax or VRT is a tax that must be paid in Ireland when registering a motor vehicle.The tax is paid to the Revenue in two ways:*VRT is included in the retail price of a new motor vehicle purchased from a dealership...
and motor taxation policy in July 2008 had on the Irish motor industry. He blamed the party for the collapse in new vehicle sales in 2009, saying that these changes were unnecessary. In response, the party's finance spokesperson, Dan Boyle
Dan Boyle (politician)
Dan Boyle is an Irish Green Party politician and party chairperson. He was a Teachta Dála for Cork South Central from 2002–07 and was a member of Seanad Éireann from 2007–11.-Early life and education:...
, called the claims "hysterical and widely inaccurate".
He was also one of a number of high profile members along with Packie Bonner
Packie Bonner
Patrick Joseph "Packie" Bonner is an Irish former football goalkeeper for Celtic and the Republic of Ireland, who earned 80 caps after making his debut on his 21st birthday...
and Mick Galwey of the group 'We Belong' who campaigned for a yes vote in the second Irish constitutional referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
Trivia
Bill Cullen is booked to be one of the first passengers to take a flight into space on Richard BransonRichard Branson
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
's Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic is a company within Richard Branson's Virgin Group which plans to provide sub-orbital spaceflights to the paying public, along with suborbital space science missions and orbital launches of small satellites...
service at a cost of $200,000.