Fran Rooney is an Irish businessman, barrister-at-law and is executive chairman of healthcare company Blocknubie Limited which supplies solutions in the blockchain and artificial intelligence space.[1][2] He has a football background and was CEO of the Football Association of Ireland from 2003 to 2004. He is also a chartered accountant and fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
As CEO of the cryptography and data security company, Baltimore Technologies, Rooney took the company from a small operation to a global enterprise with a market capitalisation of $13.6 billion that was twice named Ireland's company of the year. Rooney was also presented with the 2000 businessman of the year by the President of Ireland and 2001 entrepreneur of the year by the Bank of Ireland.[3][citation needed] Rooney was the subject of considerable media interest both in Europe and the US following his involvement with Baltimore Technologies and was the subject of an RTÉ documentary in the Raging Bulls series.[4]
Rooney took his Leaving Cert at CBS Westland Row.[5] He played football with Home Farm, Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick's Athletic and Bohemians. While working, he trained as an accountant at night. He subsequently became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Institute of Internal Auditors and Irish Computer Society.[1]
His early career included roles in[5]
Baltimore Technologies was founded by Michael Pureser in the 1970s.[6] In 1996 it was acquired by a team funded by Dermot Desmond and led by Fran Rooney. As CEO Rooney developed Baltimore Technologies to a global data security company. He developed products, marketed company and listed on NASDAQ and London Stock Exchange (achieved FTSE 100 status) with a market capitalisation of €13.6 billion, 1,400 employees and offices in 23 cities worldwide.[7]
In 1998 Bill Clinton and Bertie Ahern signed an Electronic Commerce deal using Baltimore's technology. Under Rooney's leadership Baltimore underwent several successful mergers, became a member of the FTSE 100, and was also successfully listed on the NASDAQ. Baltimore Technologies was Company of the Year in 1998 and 2000. In 2000, Mr. Rooney was awarded Businessman of the Year and was presented with his award by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.[8] He was Bank of Ireland Entrepreneur of the Year in 2001.[9][10]
He was chief executive officer of the Football Association of Ireland from May 2003 to November 2004.[11][12]
He took on the role of CEO to bring about change in the running of football because of his passion for the game. Previously he had an active career as a footballer playing for Shamrock Rovers, Home Farm and St Patrick's Athletic and coached football and Gaelic Football teams. He had been a football manager, managing a number of teams and took on the role the Republic of Ireland women's national football team manager from 1986 to 1992.[13]
After his role at the FAI, Rooney worked with a number of other companies, and qualified as a barrister.[14][10][15]