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UU Connects were delighted to host the group of 25 Ulster University alumni, who last year completed the 25@25 Leadership Programme, for a reunion residential at our Coleraine campus.
The 25@25 Leadership Programme, marking 25 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, was designed to invest in twenty-five people from our alumni community who are committed to our place in Northern Ireland and who choose to lead Northern Ireland’s future. Find out more about the 25@25 Programme.
The group came together for a residential at our Coleraine campus where they spent time reflecting on their leadership journey since completing the 25@25 Progamme in June 2024, and looking to the future, explored their future leadership pathways and impact they hope to create through their careers and the various communities they are part of.
Reflecting on her journey since completing the Programme, Meg Magill, MSc International Event Management graduate and Innovation & Entrepreneurship Manager at InterTradeIreland, said:
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"Since completing the 25@25 Leadership Programme, I’ve gained the confidence and clarity to pursue leadership opportunities that align with my values. One of the most meaningful outcomes has been founding The Wee Swap, a grassroots initiative that supports families to swap gently used children’s items and explore circular community living.
The idea was originally developed as homework for the ‘Leadership and Sustainability’ session during the programme and my 25@25 peers encouraged me to pursue the idea. The pilot in East Belfast supported over 150 families and the initiative is now entering its second phase with funding from The National Lottery and a new creative partnership with Anna Leckey of Three’s Theatre Company.
The Wee Swap also connected me to the Northern Ireland Resource Network, where I now serve as a trustee. Since completing the programme, I also joined the board of The MAC Belfast and both board roles feel like natural extensions of the areas I care most about. This year, I also brought F*ckup Nights to Belfast with Chris Shannon, a fellow 25@25 participant, creating a space for people to share honest stories of failure, learning and resilience in front of a live audience.
I changed roles this year too, joining InterTradeIreland to support entrepreneurs across the island, an opportunity shaped in large part by the entrepreneurial leadership work we did with Babson College.
More than anything, the programme helped me develop a much stronger sense of self and a clearer vision of the kind of leader I want to be. I’m still very much on a leadership journey, I don’t know exactly where it’s going but I’m certain in my mission to create big, positive change in Northern Ireland, and I’m confident in my ability to do it, alongside the amazing leaders, and now lifelong friends, I met through 25@25."
Fireside Chat with Dominic Kearns, Co-Founder & CEO Fibrus
Meg was an active contributor during the residential and took the lead on interviewing fellow alumnus, Dominic Kearns, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Fibrus. As a seasoned entrepreneur Dominic has founded several successful and growing telecommunications companies in the B2B, B2C and infrastructure markets. During their fireside chat Meg asked questions to unpack Dominic’s leadership and entrepreneurial expertise, and facilitated honest discussions with Dominic and the group about what it takes to excel in business, overcoming negative mindsets, and knowing when it’s time to let go and trust others around you.
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Hailing from the small rural town of Dunloy in Ballymena, Dominic had a strong entrepreneurial mindset from a young age, and following the advice from his school careers teacher, enrolled in the BA (Hons) Accounting course at Ulster University to gain a strong foundation in finance and set himself up to achieve his goal of owning and operating his own business.
Dominic’s entrepreneurial journey is best described by one his core company values: tenacious. A strong advocate of big ambition, Dominic recounted his startup journey with Fibrus alongside business partner, Colin Henry, who together raised £100m capital investment to kick start the company and ultimately dethrone BT who had been the well-established industry leader in Northern Ireland at the time. In addition to Fibrus, Dominic has been involved in founding and running some very successful starts up aligned with his other interests. Through his investment vehicle, Carsena Investments, Dominic invests in a range of sectors including telecommunications, renewable energy and EV charging. Across all his companies he employs over 1000 people in Northern Ireland.
In terms of leadership, Dominic shared raw honesty with group about the journey he had been on. Compared to 10 years ago, Dominic’s day to day looked very different to what is it today. Was he constantly flat out and spreading himself thin? Yes. Was he in the detail of the operational side of the business and tend to micro-manage? Yes. Did he have a harmonious work-life balance? No. Throughout the past decade, Dominic reflected that it was by surrounding himself with people smarter than himself who he trusted to do the job and do it well, he has learned to delegate and release control, which unlocked the next level for him in terms of strategic leadership. Now Dominic’s leadership style focuses on providing clarity, empowering his team of leaders to deliver and being available for guidance on difficult challenges.
Looking to the future, Dominic shared that since turning 40 this year, he is shifting gear and now intends to focus his time and energy by giving back to areas that matter most to him. In terms of business, Dominic's ambition is to continue to invest in new technology that leads to economic growth for people and communities, and create a positive environmental impact. Personally, he is winding down his responsibilities and do more things that give him a sense of personal satisfaction. For example, Dominic recently raised £20k for his local support to help finance new science labs. Dominic is a huge GAA fan and plans to support GAA Hurling through partnership with the University. He also intends to take part in more speaking and mentoring events to help budding entrepreneurs and younger generations by sharing his experience and offering guidance.
Dominic's final piece of advice for the group follows his lived experience:
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"Choose a career path that you like, and you will never have to work a day in your life."
UU Connects are proud to hold such talented and eager individuals in our alumni community, and we were delighted to create this opportunity for the 25@25 Leaders to reconnect, network, and gain fresh insights and inspiration from Dominic's impressive entrepreneurial journey.
