Engineers Ireland Fellow and former Bord Gáis chief executive John Mullins has died aged 57, it has been announced.

The late John Mullins.

Mullins was the executive chairman of Amarenco, a company which is focused on the development, financing and ownership of solar PV assets in Europe, Carribbean, Middle East and AsiaPac.

He was CEO of Bord Gáis Energy from December 2007 until the end of 2012.

During this tenure, Bord Gáis Energy established a significant electricity business and developed major renewable and conventional generation assets.

Senior management positions

He held senior management positions with ESB, ESB International, PricewaterhouseCoopers (UK) and NTR.

Mullins also served as chairman of the Port of Cork Company from 2013 to 2021 and was a director of the Tyndall National Institute, Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Wisetek Solutions Limited.

He was a Fellow of Engineers Ireland and the Irish Academy of Engineering. He held a bachelor's and master's degree in electronic and electrical engineering and an MBA from the Smurfit Business School in UCD, Dublin.

Mullins was awarded a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur by the French government in 2015. He received the highest civilian honour in France in recognition of his work in developing the country's solar energy market. 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was "deeply saddened" at his passing, calling him "someone who made such a distinguished contribution to public life, business, sport and politics.

'Huge impact in Cork and across the country'

"John was a wonderfully gregarious character who had a huge impact in Cork and across the country.

"As chief executive of Bord Gáis, John made tremendous strides in the transformation of that organisation, and subsequently guided the growth of the Port of Cork. With Amarenco Solar he was influential in advancing solar power technology in this country and internationally". 

Amarenco, which he chaired, said: “He was a visionary entrepreneur and a passionate climate protection advocate. His dedication, vision, and values have left a lasting mark and will continue to guide our company into the future.”

It said that he would be missed by all within both the business and industry, and extended condolences to his family and friends. 

Ibec, Ireland’s largest business representative group and lobby, described Mullins as “a highly respected entrepreneur and businessman”.

“Through his chairmanship of solar energy firm Amarenco and as CEO of Bord Gáis, he demonstrated excellence in leadership and a passion for innovation,” the group said. 

Among many tributes posted

"I first met him over 20 years ago in his ESB/ESBI days and then again a few years later when he was CEO of BGE and was getting Aurora Telecoms active in the telecommunications sector. While he was an easy guy to work with and always great company, he was extremely driven and had little time for unnecessary bureaucracy and slow decision making." – Dave Hanley
"A very talented and energetic businessman and friend who was so generous with his time. He achieved so much in his short life and he will be sadly missed." – Martin Scully
"John was one of the smartest, kindest people I’ve known – always thinking of others and driven by a strong sense of justice and decency.
He believed deeply in helping those left behind and used his time, talent, and heart to quietly support work that mattered – especially for families living in energy poverty. I’ll miss his advice, his encouragement, and having him at the end of the phone he was one of life's true gentleman." – Derek Roddy
"I did some work for John during his time leading and transforming Bord Gais. He was a real visionary, with both ambition and brains to burn. He brought the whole organisation with him. And then he went on to do it again with Amarenco. One of a kind, taken too soon." – Gary Joyce
"He was one of the decent guys always supportive and helpful and a great Chairperson and leader when we worked together in the POC." – Barry Synnott
"When I was a student in Athlone. I wrote to the Chief Executive of Bord Gais for an interview regarding my thesis. I was surprised that he agreed to meet me and I interviewed him for 40 mins. It was a kind gesture. He was an impressive gentleman." – Sean Hannon
"A great business man, a 'can do' person and had a solution to all and every obstacle." – Patsy & Helen Ryan
"A lifetime Cork GAA supporter and a huge advocate of our stadium he worked tirelessly to maximise the commercial potential of our revamp Super Value Pairc Ui Chaoimh and all in Cork GAA have been left reeling at his sudden passing His loss is immense and will be felt deeply by so many." – Pat Horgan
"John will always be dear to us and remembered as a “ball of energy” who bled Cork." – Joe Dalton
"I had the great privilege of serving on the board of the Port Of Cork when John was the Chair. He was superb in that role - always prepared, hugely engaged and brought with him his tremendous energy and knowledge of industry. He absolutely believed in doing his civic duty for Cork and for Ireland. He was also tremendously generous and supported cultural organisations, sporting clubs and charities with his time and advice." – Helen Boyle
"I had the pleasure of working with John for a number of years in Bord Gais. I recall how he treated everyone with the same respect, irrespective of rank or background. A true gentleman." – Ursula Earley

John Mullins is survived by his wife Siobhan and their two children, Michael and Sarah. 

Ar dheis Dé go Raibh a Anam