Brian McConville delivers keynote speech at Ulster University Business School Leadership Event

“Our team is the best in the world- we don’t just say that, our customers do. This comes down to our company Values which include having a ‘can-do’ attitude. We work together as a team to deliver and to make things happen.”

These were just some of the thoughts towards achieving success shared with business leaders by MJM Group Chair, Brian McConville, as keynote speaker at the AAB Annual Leadership Talk.

The event was part of the 2019 MJM Management Month initiative, in association with Ulster University Business School held at the Belfast campus.

Brian set up his joinery business in Rathfriland 35 years ago. He has gone on to create of the world’s leading marine outfitting business’s MJM Marine with offices in Newry, Southampton and Poland. He then acquired world renowned interior and marine fitout business, Mivan and recently purchased specialist glass company Topglass- a long standing supplier to MJM Marine and Mivan. The businesses now employ more than 600 across the Group.

MJM Marine based in Newry, is one of the world’s leading cruise line refit companies and works in partnership with the largest cruise line operators in the world on their rolling refurbishment programmes. The company recently completed the fit-out of the Azamara Pursuit for Royal Caribbean at Harland & Wolff, the largest project of its kind in Belfast for many years.

In 2014, Brian acquired the assets of construction company Mivan, followed by further expansion four years later with the purchase of specialist glass supplier Topglass.

The McConville family also own an extensive property portfolio which includes Damolly Retail Park in Newry; Galwally House and Drumkeen Retail Park in Belfast; Clarence Chambers and Pearl Assurance House in Belfast city centre and a range of other commercial, retail and residential properties.

During the one-hour conversation with broadcaster Gerry Kelly, Brian gave a detailed overview of his career and talked about his charity work and love of horses.

Speaking at the event, which attracted a capacity audience, AAB Accountant’s Managing Director, Feargal McCormack, stated that Brian’s entrepreneurial journey should be an inspiration to everyone in business. “Brian has shared his business experience most generously and demonstrated how perseverance and sheer determination are the sure routes to success. The evolution of his company over 35 years has been remarkable and testament to his personal commitment to deliver both quality of service and value for money to his customers large and small across four continents.”

Professor Mark Durkin, Executive Dean of the Ulster University Business School, said, “We were delighted to work with Professor Feargal McCormack and his team at AAB in organising the now very well established Annual Leadership Talk. As a business school that is committed to stimulating entrepreneurial thinking and driving innovative approaches to doing business, it is invaluable to hear from leaders who have practical and real experience. Brian demonstrated that entrepreneurial flair in his talk and it was an honour to welcome such a successful business figure to share with us his thoughts on leadership.”