Martin Naughton, Glen Dimplex Founder and Philanthropist, Dies Aged 87 in Seattle
Martin Naughton, the Dundalk-born engineer who built the Glen Dimplex Group from a ten-person operation in Newry into one of the world's largest domestic appliance manufacturers, and who gave tens of millions of euro to Irish education, the arts, and reconciliation, has died aged 87 at the Harborview Medical Centre in Seattle, where he had taken ill while travelling with his wife Carmel.
Background
Martin Naughton was born on 2 May 1939 in Dundalk, Co. Louth, and trained as an engineer before embarking on the entrepreneurial journey that would make him one of the most significant figures in twentieth-century Irish business. In 1973, with a small team of ten employees, he founded Glen Electric in Newry, Co. Down — a location that straddled the border between the Republic and Northern Ireland and that would prove symbolic of his lifelong commitment to cross-community and cross-border enterprise.
The pivotal moment in the company's history came in 1977, when Naughton acquired Dimplex, a British manufacturer of electric heating products. The merger of the two companies created the Glen Dimplex Group, which grew steadily over the following decades into a global powerhouse with annual sales of approximately €1.5 billion, 22 manufacturing facilities, and over 8,000 employees worldwide. The group's brands — including Dimplex, Belling, Stoves, and Morphy Richards — became household names across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Naughton stepped down as president of the group in 2016, handing the chief executive role to his son Fergal. By that point, he had already established himself as one of Ireland's most generous philanthropists, with the Naughton Foundation — established with his wife Carmel in 1994 — having supported hundreds of educational initiatives and STEM scholarships across the island of Ireland.
Key Developments
Naughton's death was announced on Saturday, 5 July 2026, with tributes flowing from political and business leaders across Ireland, the United Kingdom, and beyond. The Tánaiste described him as 'an exceptional entrepreneur and a compassionate citizen whose legacy will endure for generations.' The British Ambassador to Ireland highlighted his contribution to reconciliation and cross-community understanding.
Among his most notable philanthropic contributions was a €25 million donation to Trinity College Dublin, one of the largest single gifts in the university's history. The Naughton Foundation has also supported the development of STEM education at secondary level across Ireland, funding scholarships and resources that have benefited thousands of students. His support for the arts included significant contributions to the restoration of Georgian Dublin and to cultural institutions across the island.
Naughton received numerous honours in recognition of his contributions, including a KBE from the British Crown in 2015, France's Légion d'Honneur in 2016, and the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, conferred by Pope Francis in 2025. He held honorary doctorates from Trinity College Dublin and Dublin City University.
Why It Matters
Martin Naughton's death marks the passing of a figure who embodied a particular vision of Irish entrepreneurship — one rooted in engineering excellence, cross-border ambition, and a deep sense of social responsibility. His decision to base Glen Electric in Newry at the height of the Troubles was not merely a business calculation; it was a statement of faith in the potential of the border region and in the possibility of building something lasting across the sectarian divide.
His philanthropic legacy is equally significant. The Naughton Foundation's focus on STEM education has helped to address one of the most persistent structural weaknesses in the Irish education system, and its scholarships have opened doors for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who might otherwise have been excluded from higher education. Unlike many wealthy Irish businesspeople who have directed their philanthropy primarily towards the arts or heritage, Naughton consistently prioritised education as the foundation of long-term social progress.
Local Impact
Naughton's connection to Newry — where Glen Electric was founded — gives his death a particular resonance in the border region. The company's early years in Newry provided employment at a time when the town was severely affected by the economic disruption of the Troubles, and the Glen Dimplex Group's subsequent growth created a model of cross-border enterprise that has influenced generations of Irish business leaders. In Dublin, the institutions that benefited from his philanthropy — Trinity College, the National Gallery, and others — will feel his loss acutely. His funeral arrangements had not been confirmed at the time of writing.
What's Next
The Glen Dimplex Group has confirmed that it will continue to operate under the leadership of Fergal Naughton, who has served as chief executive since 2016. The Naughton Foundation will continue its work under the direction of the family, with a statement expected in the coming days outlining plans for the foundation's future programmes. Tributes will be paid in the Dáil and Seanad when the Oireachtas returns from recess, and a state funeral or memorial service is expected to be arranged in the coming weeks.
