Praise Follows Almac Founder's Death

The death of a leading entrepreneur and high profile figure in enterprise and job creation in Northern Ireland has been marked by a series of top level tributes.

The late Almac Chairman and founder, Sir Allen McClay, has been roundly praised for his contribution to economic development by the Board and management of Invest NI (INI).

The prominent industrialist died in the United States and is survived by his wife Heather, who he married in hospital the US in November last year.

Sir Allen, who qualified as a pharmacist in 1953, established his first business, Galen, in 1968.

It became a world-leading pharmaceutical and biotech company making Sir Allen a multi-millionaire and one of Northern Ireland's richest men.

As well as the official INI tributes, his passing has also been marked by the NI Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness.

Mr McGuinness said: "I know that I will echo the thoughts of many when I say that we have not only lost a wonderful businessman but also a true gentlemen.

"Sir Allen McClay was perhaps the most successful businessman we have ever produced," said the leading Sinn Féin politician.

Speaking on behalf of INI, Chairman Stephen Kingon said: "The Almac Group has grown to become a Northern Ireland company of global stature.

"That would not have been possible without the huge personal contribution of Sir Allen, who could see the potential for Northern Ireland to be a global presence in Life Sciences.

"This was underpinned by his realisation of, and support for, the need to combine economic development with academic research as evidenced by the recent announcement of collaboration projects between the McClay Foundation, Queen's University, and Invest NI. "

"There is no doubt that he will be greatly missed," the senior civil servant continued.

Invest NI Chief Executive, Alastair Hamilton, also commented: "In building Almac into a global player, Sir Allen laid the foundations for the emergence of a competitive life sciences sector in Northern Ireland."

(BmcC/GK)