Brian Conlon Foundation

Brian himself was a pupil at Abbey CBGS Newry where he excelled academically and in the field of sport. He went on to third level education and from there to a career in the international financial sector. In 1995 Brian founded First Derivatives in Newry, a local company that has achieved, and continues to achieve, international global success.

The The Brian Conlon Foundation has been set up in Brian’s memory for charitable purposes to keep Brian’s altruistic legacy alive. The Foundation supports various charities in line with its objects.

The Foundation has created the Brian Conlon Medal, awarded to a deserving pupil who embodies the qualities constituting the Foundation’s ethos. It is to award an individual who achieves despite the challenges that beset them.

Brian came from humble beginnings, espousing many virtues and overcoming much adversity to achieve as he did. Brian’s roots were firmly working class and his upbringing was in the troubled 1980’s in what would have been considered a deprived area economically. These adverse circumstances did not prevent Brian from setting and realising his goals. It is this quality, and ability to achieve despite challenges, that forms the spirit of this award.