10 things you didn't know about Barry O'Brien

Since arriving in Jamaica and establishing itself as the predominant player in the island's mobile telecom sector, Digicel Jamaica has rewritten the protocol and handbook on corporate social responsibility and community involvement.

In its 12 years of operations in Jamaica, it has demonstrated a unique understanding of and promotion of Jamaican popular culture. Correspondingly, as a corporate entity, Digicel stands heads and shoulders above all others as a good corporate citizen.

Some say that ability lies in the fact that the company has consistently recruited leaders who not only have a comprehensive grasp of the complexities of the entrepreneurial landscape, but also the importance of the role of team effort.

Observers who have looked on at Digicel's operational model have credited the company's success to all of the above, but more important, its first and succeeding CEOs.

In May, Barry O'Brien, took over the reins as CEO of Digicel Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Today Outlook Magazine, shares 10 things not previously known about O'Brien, who, before his current appointment worked as CEO of Digicel Barbados and the South Eastern Caribbean, having joined Digicel in 2008.

1. Barry O'Brien was born in 1970 in Cork, Ireland and is the second eldest of five children. Cork is on the south coast of Ireland.

2. He's married and is the father of two children. He met his wife, Ruth, in Munich, Germany in 1997, while working on the first major roll-out of a 3G network by NTT DoCoMo, Japan.

3. Since arriving in Jamaica, one of the most frequently asked questions is if he is related to the founder and chairman of Digicel - his namesake, Denis O'Brien. The answer is no! There is no family relation.

4. He first came to the Caribbean on a cruise during his honeymoon in 2001.

5.He considers himself well travelled and rounded having lived in nine different countries since completing his university studies. They include, England, Scotland, Germany, Sweden, Dubai, the United States, Barbados, St Lucia, and now Jamaica. He has great insights and understanding of people and cultures across the globe, which makes it easier for him to relate to others.

6. His passion for maths and physics earned him the title of a 'techie'. He completed a primary degree in electrical Engineering and did two years of a PhD in semi-conductor laser physics, later completing a diploma in business management.

7. In an effort to give back, he worked as a teacher, spending time in the classroom as a lecturer in control engineering and physics at the Cork Institute of Technology.

8. Since arriving in Jamaica, the new CEO has grown to appreciate and enjoy the island's spicy food, especially Jerk.

9. An Irish national, he believes that there are many similarities between the Irish people and Jamaicans. From a historical perspective, both are former English colonies, and both sets of people are friendly, gregarious, and loving.

10.The telecoms leader enjoys almost every sport, and not just as a spectator. In high school, he played rugby and table tennis. Now he plays golf and is quite proud of winning the Gary Sobers Caribbean Golf Tournament in 2010 (net score). He also won regional and Irish chess titles in Ireland and continues to enjoy the game.