Recently filed accounts for Flynn and Flynn Global Trading Ltd, the company behind their operation, show that accumulated losses have increased from €3.5m to €4.47m.
At the year end of December 31 last, net liabilities stood at €1.98m.
The identical twins from Greystones have overseen a “robust plan aimed at restoring profitability through operational efficiencies, cost management, and targeted revenue growth initiatives”, the accounts say.
The number of employees has declined from 79 to 65, and directors’ pay got a haircut – reduced from €361,512 to €330,695.
Belt-tightening aside, the Happy Pear plan is to make a success of the plant-based food business in Britain.
It’s now started trading there, and this is “expected to drive significant growth in the latter part of 2025 and particularly in 2026, leveraging the company’s strong brand and product offerings in this new territory.”
The British invasion follows a highly successful crowdfunding campaign, after the Happy Pear twins asked their fans to put their money where their vegan mouths are, and cough up at least €500 apiece.
The target of €2.5m was quickly reached.
The accounts note that the photogenic pair are adept at tapping the considerable goodwill that exists for their brand. They say the company has a “proven track record of securing financial support, either from internal stakeholders or external parties, when required.”
This provides further reassurance of its ability to meet financial obligations.
If the Brits aren’t bowled over by Wicklow’s finest organic bean mix, or strawberry and beetroot fruit bites, the Flynn twins’ ability to raise money when required could be tested again.
?Dubliner Rory Godson is Freeman of London
If any sheep are seen crossing London Bridge on their way to Smithfield meat market in the run-up to Christmas, chances are they belong to the leading public-relations adviser Rory Godson, who has just received the Freedom of the City of London.
One of the privileges that goes with the award is the right to herd your flock toll-free across the ancient bridge.
Rory Godson gets the Freedom of London from Laura Dobbie Miller, Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court.
The founder of Powerscourt Media, Godson was nominated for the honour by David O’Reilly and Richard Logue in recognition of his work as chairman of the Ireland Funds of Great Britain.
“I am proud to be a Freeman of the greatest city in the world,” the former chief reporter for this newspaper posted on LinkedIn.
He joins a stellar line-up of historic honorary freemen, from Nelson and the Duke of Wellington to the prime ministers Disraeli, Gladstone and Churchill, plus Florence Nightingale.
And in the same week as Godson, actress Cate Blanchett was honoured in recognition of her contribution to drama, and campaigning work on humanitarian and global environmental issues.
?A new face in the RTÉ boardroom
You could say he is moving from one sticky wicket to another.
Brian MacNeice, the chairman of Cricket Ireland, has been appointed a director of RTÉ.
The vacancy was advertised last August, and we were wondering how many people would apply, given what a difficult assignment it has been of late. The salary of €15,750 per annum in no way compensates for the hassle.
Daire Hickey, one of the founders of Web Summit, stepped down as an RTÉ director last January, after four years’ service, but well before his term was due to end in July 2026.
Dr PJ Matthews left the board last year, albeit after lengthy service, but nine months before his term was due to end.
That came not long after the resignation of board chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh.
There’s been no boardroom drama this year, under the steady hand of Terence O’Rourke. But given that a huge programme of staff reduction is underway at RTÉ, fresh controversies could arise at any time.
Brian MacNeice. Photo: Sportsfile
MacNeice is the co-author of Powerhouse: Insider Accounts into the World’s Top High-Performance Organisations, to which he is unlikely to be adding a new chapter.
More usefully, he is a match official in international rugby, having been part of the team of officials for the Rugby World Cup final last year.
And, according to his CV, he is an “expert” in “change management”. RTÉ should provide lots of extra experience in that.
?Irish sports marketers set up in Indiana
The Irish sports marketing agency Sport Endorse is opening an office in Indianapolis, its chief executive Trevor Twamley tells me.
The sponsorship platform connects brands with athletes, and represents the likes of rugby player James Lowe, soccer player John Egan, and golfer Annabel Dimmock.
“The state of Indiana invited us to set up there,” Twamley says.
“We will hire two new staff – a VP of sales, and a customer success person. That’s what athlete representation needs – someone to do the deals, and someone to mind the deals.”
Declan Bourke and Trevor Twamley, co-founders of Sport Endorse. Photo: Fennells
Once the current $5m funding round closes, Sport Endorse will have about 20 staff, and won’t need too many more after that.
“The technology we have built is robust, and a lot of effort and money went into it,” says Twamley, a former commercial director with Setanta Ireland.
“It can scale globally in different languages and currencies, and we are currently onboarding 400 athletes a month and demo-ing and onboarding about 30 brands a month, from all parts of the world.”
?‘Top priest’ award inspires Leo Varadkar’s modest tweet
Leo Varadkar gave a mini version of Fr Ted’s acceptance speech at the Golden Cleric on social media last week.
In response to a story in the Irish Independent that the National Broadband Plan looks set to be completed on time and on budget, he posted: “Opposed by all political parties except one. Advised against by the Dept of Public Expenditure.”
The plan was certainly opposed, vociferously, by Ireland’s best-paid civil servant.
Robert Watt, whose salary is set to reach €326,000 next year, said the plan posed great financial risks, provided questionable benefits, and should be called off. He was over-ruled by Paschal Donohoe, the then minister for public expenditure.
We’re not sure, though, if the claim that it was “opposed by all political parties except one” (Fine Gael, presumably) stands up.
Starlink owner Elon Musk. Photo: Getty
We recall communications minister Pat Rabbitte of Labour unveiling a national broadband plan in 2012 and describing it as “the rural electrification of the 21st century”.
The Labour Party certainly wanted a lot more State involvement, but to suggest it “opposed” the plan is hardly fair.
Meanwhile, Varadkar’s tweet flushed out some of the online Muskites, who reckon the whole broadband plan was a “waste”, as Starlink rendered it “obsolete before it had even started”. Hardly.
And those of you who think we should have given the unreliable Elon Musk the ultimate say over part of Ireland’s critical national infrastructure, take a close look at Starlink’s record in Ukraine.
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