Egan O'Callaghan
An experienced Executive, Non-Executive and entrepreneur, Egan O’Callaghan’s career has equipped him with first hand knowledge of the business challenges, problems and solutions facing domestic and international companies, particularly in the SME market.
Egan is a consultant with his own business, The Penn Group, which works with top management in organisations up to £250m turnover. He is also currently Chairman of a manufacturer and supplier of high precision engineering solutions. His background includes MD roles with companies including Dawson International PLC and with Saint Gobain (UK) Ltd as well as Marketing Director with NEI plc (now part of Rolls Royce plc). Previously he set up and grew a family contract specification fabric and (outsourced) manufacturing company, merged it with an adjacent business and ultimately sold it at 10x earnings. He has extensive marketing and brand experience with companies including NEI Thompson Ltd and Cadbury Limited, where he was involved in the design and execution of a number of multi £m marketing campaigns.
At The Penn Group, Egan has developed business strategy, mentored Board members and helped to deliver profitable growth in the UK and overseas, using a trusted network of associates. Bringing market insight, commercial acumen and gravitas, Egan has been instrumental in major business turnaround, introduction of strong corporate governance and matching capability with market opportunities. He is able to establish himself as a trusted advisor and mentor who often takes companies on difficult journeys; his approach is non-threatening but he does not compromise the business potential.
Egan has had many successes in an advisory/Non-Executive capacity. Examples from recent years include his strategic vision and business plan for interior fit out company Murray and Willis, which delivered improved profitable growth from £8m to £18m. He also devised market entry into India for Comp Air Ltd, which along with identifying sources of manufacturing and new revenue streams in the Middle East played a key role in helping Alchemy to achieve its successful £205m exit from the investment. Egan is also a skilled assessor of human capital; he advised the Group HR function of £190m turnover company Ricoh on the technical expertise of the UK functional board members, bringing essential, accurate insight to a multi-cultural, international Group management team.
