By Business & Finance 
Bobby Kerr and Harry O’Kelly
The Irish businessman will leave the company he has led for many years in the coming weeks. He has agreed to sell his shares in Insomnia to other shareholders in the business.
Bobby will now focus on his broadcasting career with his anchor role on Newstalk 106-108FM. In the new year he will begin working on his maritime documentary, Along Home Shores. This will be the second series of the popular show.
Bobby wished the Insomnia team all the best: “Over the many years working together, Harry [O’Kelly] and I have formed a trusted partnership and Harry’s collaborative leadership style has won the loyalty and respect of our people while driving the team to deliver record results. It is fantastic to see Insomnia move forward with such strength, and to now have a strong presence in the UK market, and plans to open in further territories progressing. I will watch its continued growth with interest!”
The Irish coffee giant is the leading coffee company in the country and the 15th largest in Europe. Insomnia has amassed 150 stores across Ireland and the UK and celebrated its 20th birthday this year. Bobby spent many of those 20 years as CEO but switched to Chairman in 2010.
On announcing his departure, Kerr said: “This is a very bittersweet day for me. Insomnia has been such a big part of my life for nearly two decades and I am very proud of what I achieved here. I will miss the work and the people, many of whom I have formed lifelong friendships with. However, I look forward to the next chapter for me and my family.”
Current CEO Harry O’Kelly commented on the news: “Insomnia has undergone an incredible transformation since 1997 and Bobby has been instrumental to that success. I feel lucky to have worked with someone who has great passion for customer-focused innovation and the coffee industry.
“The legacy that Bobby leaves and the exceptional leadership team, whom have a breadth of global management experience, gives me enormous confidence as we navigate this new period of growth and innovation.”
O’Kelly went on to say, “We wish Bobby every success with his future endeavours and thank him for his service and hard work in growing the Insomnia brand.”
In changes to senior staff, John Clohisey will become Chairman and the current CFO Barry Kehoe has joined the Board of Directors. Dara O’Flynn joined as COO in December.
