Colm Delves
Former Digicel boss was an outstanding chief executive and an inspirational colleague, writes Denis O’Brien
COLM Delves had the two most important qualities required for a successful chief executive — ability and affability.
He joined Digicel in 2003 from Hibernia Foods plc and initially worked on a mobile phone licence in Lebanon but was appointed chief financial officer in 2004 and quickly made his mark. A little over a year later he was promoted to group chief executive.
In those early years Digicel was operating in seven countries in the Caribbean. He oversaw and implemented sustained rapid growth and a development plan that took Digicel into 31 markets. In doing so, he displayed boundless energy and dynamism.
Cruelly, Colm was diagnosed with cancer in February last year, less than a year after he had stepped down as Digicel group CEO to spend more time with his wife Paula and daughter Hannah. He died peacefully at his home on April 23, aged 54.
Colm grew up in Terenure, Dublin, but allegedly the lure of links golf prompted his father, John, an astute entrepreneur, to sell the idea to his family of a move to Rush and proximity to the sea. His mother, Rosemary, approved this on the basis that it would be ideal for their sports-loving sons, Barry, Robert, John and Colm. While his brothers played a lot of sport, Colm’s real love was music and one of his cherished teenage memories was his father taking him to Slane to see the Rolling Stones in 1982.
Colm got his commercial abilities from his father and his empathy and humility from his mother. Business was always central to the Delves family. Lessons learned around the kitchen table would become central to how Colm always dealt with people in terms of respect. Loyalty was also important and the Delveses always knew which media campaign their father John was doing the printing for based on family purchases. Lyons Tea was once suddenly dropped in favour of the new Lipton brand.
This sense of loyalty and support would remain constant through Colm’s life. He met Paula, also from Rush, at the tender age of 16 and they married in 1990. Their beautiful daughter, Hannah, arrived in their lives in June 2002.
Colm went to Colaiste Choilm where he excelled as a member of the debating team. However, he really wanted to study music.
He arranged to meet the director of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Professor Peter O’Brien, to discuss a degree course in music. His parents persuaded him to study business at Dublin City University first, saying he could pursue a career in music later.
That didn’t happen; instead, he went on to study chartered accountancy at KPMG, where he sat opposite Paul Connolly who later introduced us in the late 1990s.
When Paul and I were raising money for Esat Telecom in New York we would often have dinner with Colm, as he was managing investor relations for Hibernia Foods. He made a lasting impression on me. When the opportunity arose for us to join forces many years later it was a stroke of good luck on my part.
Colm moved to Jamaica with Paula and Hannah, in 2004 — Kingston was the Digicel Group’s headquarters. Jamaica became very much their home and they made great friends over the next 12 years. Colm embraced the way of life and rich culture, particularly the music.
He was unique in many ways. He never sought the limelight and had a steely resolve that was subtle, effective and very persuasive. For those of us who had the privilege of knowing him particularly well, he was exceptionally courteous, kind and patient.
Maintaining contact with management in a rapidly growing business in so many geographies can be extremely challenging — and yet, in most cases Colm knew more about a market than the country CEO. He was always particularly interested in the welfare of staff and their families.
In early 2010 Haiti was struck by an earthquake that left some 300,000 people dead. Colm went into overdrive in terms of getting medical aid into Haiti and looking after the 1,000 Haitian staff members. He slept on an office desk for two weeks and directed operations.
Immediately after the earthquake, the US State Department took control of all flight permits going into the country but Colm made friends with a US general who had responsibility for airspace and air traffic control. This secured priority status for the freight aircraft we had chartered which transported much needed food and equipment into Haiti on a daily basis.
At his office in Kingston he would head out to the back of the building twice a day for a coffee. Anyone in the business who wanted a word with him or to garner his favour had their opportunity. It was his way of keeping his finger on the pulse of the business. He spoke to everyone. If someone came up with a wacky idea he would gently raise an eyebrow; a signal not to pursue it.
Colm would go anywhere at the drop of a hat if he thought it was an interesting opportunity. In 2005 we decided to fly into Port Au Prince as he had identified Haiti as our next market.
We hadn’t read any of the
US State Department travel restrictions, the warnings about kidnapping or the prevalence of armed gangs. On arrival we got into a taxi and drove around for three hours. All we could see was people buying and selling fruit, vegetables, car parts, bedding… none of them had a phone. On our way out of the country Colm said: “Let’s do it.” That decision ultimately resulted in 4.5m customers.
Colm and Paula were passionate about giving back to the communities that adopted them. He did not forget his alma mater and initiated the DCU Access Scholarship Scheme, as well as a summer internship programme.
He fought his illness with the same strength, conviction and humility that epitomised his life. Colm leaves behind a loving wife and partner of 30 years, Paula, their daughter Hannah, parents John and Rosemary and brothers Barry and John. He joins his precious brother Robert who died in January 2013.
Ireland also has lost one of the outstanding chief executives of a generation. Colm trained and nurtured many young executives who are today pursing successful careers at home and around the globe.
We have lost an inspirational colleague and I have lost a great friend.