The Big Interview

‘Anything we’ve said we’d do, we’ve done – and faster’: Michael O’Neill, Pure Ocean Algae

The fisherman and entrepreneur wasn’t sure what to do with the aquaculture licences he had applied for five years previously – but then an opportunity opened up to become a world-leading producer of dulse seaweed

Michael O’Neill, chief executive of Pure Ocean Algae: ‘We’ve set a fairly rapid growth trajectory.’ Picture: John Allen

In brief:

Role: chief executive of Pure Ocean Algae

Lives: Cahermore, Beara peninsula, west Cork

Age: 56

Family: wife Aileen, sons Conor and Derbhain, daughters Caoimhe and Aisling

My working day: I wake at about 6.30am, organise myself and aim to be in the office for about 7.30am. Most importantly, I like to take 20 minutes of quiet time, with coffee, to focus the mind before getting to the desk. Living in one of the ...