Case Studies
The case studies below present a selection of investments made collaboratively by two or more GIG members, either directly or through their respective investment vehicles. They exclude investments undertaken independently by individual members. Together, they demonstrate how GIG members combine capital, sector expertise and operational experience to identify opportunities, support management teams and create long-term value.
The examples span different sectors, investment strategies and stages of business development. They range from consolidating established businesses through Packaging Holdings to supporting ACEL Energy from start-up through rapid growth. They also include green-bond financing through Williams Renewable Energy, financial-services technology through SCG Growth Partners, and property investment and development through Tay Lane Properties.
Several investments have delivered successful outcomes, including a 3.5-times return from Irish Flexible Packaging and Fispak following their sale to ProAmpac, and an approximately ten-times return from ACEL Energy following its acquisition by Entegro.
Packaging Holdings
About
Packaging Holdings is an Irish-headquartered group comprising ten established packaging businesses operating across Ireland and the UK. The group manufactures and supplies corrugated boxes and displays, paper bags, labels, paper straws, dairy and food packaging, and a range of other sustainable packaging solutions.
Visit the Packaging Holdings website
GIG members involvement
Packaging Holdings was co-founded by Barry O’Brien and Eamon Farrell as a platform through which to build a leading sustainable packaging group by acquiring, consolidating and integrating established sustainable packaging businesses.
Having raised €40 million through a combination of equity and debt, Packaging Holdings acquired the Ireland-based Ace Corrugated, Craftpak Packaging and Walsh Packaging before merging with Grafham Holdings, which comprises seven packaging businesses across the UK.
The transaction brought together ten established businesses, while enabling the owners and management teams of the acquired companies to retain an interest and continue leading their respective operations.
Read the Irish Examiner coverage
ACEL Energy
About
Established in 2022 and commencing operations in January 2023, ACEL Energy developed into a leading engineering-led Irish renewable-energy company. It designs, constructs and commissions commercial solar PV, battery-storage and demand-management systems that help businesses reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.
GIG members involvement
In January 2023, Barry O’Brien and Paul McKenna invested in ACEL Energy and became majority shareholders, working alongside co-founders Barry Sherry and Declan McDonald.
Over the following three years, Barry and Paul provided strategic, governance and commercial support as ACEL progressed rapidly from start-up to a significant renewable-energy engineering business serving customers including Shannon Airport, Tesco, Americold, Kingspan and the Irish Defence Forces.
ACEL Energy was sold to Entegro, part of the France-based Kyntus Group, in June 2026, delivering an approximately ten-times return on the original investment.
Irish Flexible Packaging
About
Founded in 1992 and led by Eamon Farrell as CEO, Irish Flexible Packaging developed into a leading specialist manufacturer of sustainable flexible food packaging. Its products included recyclable aluminium foil for the dairy sector and compostable and recyclable waxed paper for the bakery sector.
GIG members involvement
In 2018, Barry O’Brien and Eamon Farrell established IFP Investments Limited to acquire a majority interest in Irish Flexible Packaging and pursue a wider consolidation strategy within the sustainable food-packaging sector.
Following the acquisition of Irish Flexible Packaging in 2019, IFP Investments acquired the complementary Fispak business, creating a larger group serving the dairy, bakery, meat, fish and cheese sectors in Ireland and international markets.
Both businesses were sold to US packaging group ProAmpac in 2021, delivering Barry and Eamon a 3.5-times return on their invested capital.
Read the ProAmpac announcement
Williams Renewable Energy
About
Williams Renewable Energy Limited is a Barbados-headquartered renewable-energy developer and operator and the country’s largest independent power producer. Its commercial solar PV portfolio has been financed through five issuances of certified green bonds.
GIG members involvement
Following his departure from Digicel, Barry O’Brien co-founded Williams Caribbean Capital in 2017. David Staples, a director of Williams Industries, subsequently became its Chairman.
In 2018, Williams Caribbean Capital led the establishment of Williams Renewable Energy Limited to finance, develop and operate commercial solar PV projects through the issuance of certified green bonds.
WREL has consistently exceeded its original financial forecasts while delivering strong returns to its investors and bondholders. Its green-bond programme also made Williams Caribbean Capital the first Caribbean company to secure certification under the international Climate Bonds Standard, beginning with a BDS$23m raise in 2019
Read the Barbados Today coverage
SCG Growth Partners
About
SCG Growth Partners is a Dublin-headquartered financial-technology company behind ApplyOn, a purpose-built CRM and digital workflow platform for banks, insurers, credit unions and other financial institutions.
The company is led by co-founder and CEO Robbie Burns and has operations in Ireland, Trinidad and Barbados.
GIG members involvement
Barry O’Brien and fellow GIG member Gregory Rose invested in SCG Growth Partners through their respective investment vehicles, with Barry subsequently becoming Chairman.
The company is developing ApplyOn’s next generation of digital and AI-enabled solutions to help financial institutions improve customer acquisition, application processing, servicing, compliance and workflow management.
SCG has attracted backing from a group of experienced technology investors and is pursuing international expansion, including plans to enter the US market by initially targeting credit unions on the East Coast.
Read about digital innovation in Caribbean financial services
Tay Lane Properties
About
Tay Lane Properties is a property investment and development company focused on commercial development opportunities in West Dublin. The company is led by GIG member Paul Murphy.
GIG members involvement
Eamon Farrell and Barry O’Brien co-invested alongside Paul Murphy in the acquisition of land and property in West Dublin.
The assets are being positioned for future commercial development in partnership with an established property developer, combining Paul’s local property expertise with the investment and commercial experience of his fellow GIG members.
VIP Attractions
About
VIP Attractions is a leading Jamaican tourism and hospitality business. It has over 600 staff and operates the Club Mobay and Club Kingston premium arrival and departure lounges at Jamaica’s two principal international airports, together with tourism-media and related hospitality services.
Visit the VIP Attractions website
GIG members involvement
Williams Caribbean Capital acquired 50% of VIP Attractions in 2019 with an option to become majority shareholder, with Barry O’Brien joining its board of directors. Fellow GIG member David Staples is also a shareholder in the company.
Through their investment and board involvement, Barry and David have supported the company’s strategic development, governance and continued growth across its airport-lounge, tourism-media and hospitality activities.
Learn more about the investment
Green Energy Park
About
Green Energy Park is a planned US$150 million, 25 MW waste-to-energy, biomass and landfill PV solar project in Barbados.
The project is expected to provide approximately 25% of Barbados’ baseload electricity, create a sustainable long-term waste-management solution and reduce the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.
GIG members involvement
David Staples has led the development of the Green Energy Park, including engagement with the Government of Barbados and Barbados Light & Power Company to progress the project.
GEP has also entered into an advisory agreement with IDB Invest, the private-sector institution of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, to support its continued technical and financial development.
David Staples and Barry O’Brien have invested in both GEP and GEP Solar, an associated photovoltaic solar project proposed for the existing landfill site. Further debt and equity financing is expected to be raised from local and international investors as the projects advance.
ARGO Development Studio
About
ARGO Development Studio is an award-winning international architectural and digital-construction practice specialising in Building Information Modelling, climate intelligence and the design of resilient, sustainable and cost-efficient buildings.
Its multidisciplinary teams work across the Caribbean, Europe, the United States and other international markets.
Visit the ARGO Development Studio website
GIG members involvement
GIG member David Campion is the founder and Managing Director of ARGO Development Studio. Barry O’Brien chairs ARGO’s Advisory Board, on which fellow GIG members Paul McKenna and David Staples also serve.
Drawing on their experience in investment, infrastructure, engineering, finance and international business development, the Advisory Board supports ARGO’s growth strategy, governance, commercial development and international expansion.
Its members also assist ARGO in strengthening relationships with clients, investors and strategic partners in Ireland, the Caribbean and international markets.
Read the Barbados Today profile
General Accident
About
General Accident is a long-established Caribbean general insurance group. Its Jamaican operations date back to the 1920s, when it acted as an agent for the Scotland-based General Accident Fire & Life Assurance Corporation.
General Accident Insurance Company (Jamaica) Limited was listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange in 2011, while its Barbados insurance operations commenced in 2020.
Visit the General Accident website
GIG members involvement
David Staples and Barry O’Brien invested in General Accident Insurance Company (Barbados) Limited through BCDL, their Barbados-based investment vehicle.
The investment established a strategic relationship with General Accident and created opportunities for wider collaboration involving Williams Renewable Energy Limited and SCG Growth Partners.
Under the investment arrangements, BCDL is entitled to nominate a director to the board of General Accident Barbados, with David Staples serving as its board representative.
Read the history of General Accident