Dermot Desmond is an Irish billionaire businessman and financier, the founder of International Investment & Underwriting (IIU), his primary investment vehicle, and a major shareholder of the Celtic F.C. football club. Born in Macroom, County Cork, in 1950, he grew up in Marino, Dublin.

Desmond left school in 1968 to work at Citibank in Dublin, providing him with early financial experience. His career is defined by his audacious ventures in financial services, media, and sports, often marked by complex transactions and political scrutiny. His philosophy centers on identifying undervalued assets and leveraging strategic acquisitions for immense long-term returns.

Dermot Desmond's entrepreneurial journey began in finance. In 1981, he founded National City Brokers (NCB) in Dublin, quickly competing with established stockbroking firms. He sold NCB to Ulster Bank in 1994 for £39 million, securing his initial major exit and capital.

In 1995, he founded International Investment & Underwriting (IIU), a private equity firm that became his primary, highly diversified investment vehicle. His strategic moves were legendary: in 1995, he purchased London City Airport for £23.5 million and sold it in 2006 for £750 million, a massive profit that cemented his status as a master asset flipper. He purchased the luxurious Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados and founded the betting exchange operator BETDAQ. In 1995, he became the majority shareholder of Celtic F.C., transforming the struggling club into a stable, dominant force in Scottish football.

Dermot Desmond's social impact is highly visible and structural, stemming from his control and stabilization of Celtic F.C., a major cultural and civic asset in Glasgow. His investment ensured the club's survival and growth.

His personal philanthropy is often directed toward Irish and international social causes. His career highlights the immense financial power derived from strategic, contrarian investment in undervalued, high-stakes assets like sports clubs and airport infrastructure.

Dermot Desmond maintains the highly professional, discrete style of an international financier. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His public persona is defined by his aggressive deal-making and his often-controversial high-stakes financial transactions.

His luxury is the immense security and autonomy derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to leveraging his capital for strategic industrial, financial, and sports acquisitions globally.