In the High Flyers spotlight this week is Brian Doran, principal and chief executive of Southern Regional College, one of the six further education colleges in the north which teach around 61,000 students each year. The sector will play a key role in the economic recovery, providing the highly skilled, talented, and flexible workforce which is required to deliver a vibrant economy and inclusive society.
To take part in the High Flyers Q&A, get in touch via business@irishnews.com.
What was your first job?
I began my teaching career as teacher of physics in my alma mater, Abbey Grammar School in Newry. I moved to the further education sector shortly after in 1988 progressing to the position of director of curriculum in Newry and Kilkeel Institute before taking up the position of principal and chief executive in Southern Regional College in 2008.
What qualifications do you have?
BSc in computer science and and postgraduate certificate in education, both from Queen’s University;MSc in information technology at University of Ulster and a Senior Leadership Programme at Saïd Business School, Oxford University
What do you attribute your success to?
Hard work, dedication, a passion for further education, and a continued focus on providing career changing opportunities for all. My success would not have been possible without the support of my wife Geraldine - my unsung hero.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
Friendly, approachable, trustworthy and someone who enjoys a bit of ‘craic’ with my mates.
Who do you look up to in business?
The late Brian Conlon, founder of First Derivatives.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
By providing a listening ear, recognising individual contribution to our college, and leading by example.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
We need to do more to encourage business start-up and our next generation of local entrepreneurs. We need them now more than ever in a post Covid-19 world.
What website or app could you not do without?
My banking app. I couldn’t survive without it. Closely followed by the Irish News and BBC websites for daily news updates.
What was the last book you read?
My brother-in-law Aidan McQuade’s latest book, ‘The Undiscovered Country’. A fiercely intelligent and witty read and one that I would thoroughly recommend.
What car do you drive?
Mercedes CLA
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I haven’t yet had the time to get my official golf handicap, but I will be working on that next week to ensure that I’m given the ‘correct’ handicap when the Abbey Class of 1981 Golf Society next play. They’ll know what I mean.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
I am a keen GAA fan having played for Newry Shamrocks and Down GAA at under age level. I’ve now moved on to cycling – although not a pretty sight it’s, much easier on the knees! My goal for next year is to complete the Wicklow 200, but first I’ve a few miles to get in on the road during the summer break.
