The annual award states it is given to “exceptional alumni who have demonstrated outstanding inspiration, merit, achievement or commitment in a particular role, or to society, education, knowledge or research”.
Holohan’s award recognises longstanding contribution to the print and packaging industry and his support of the institution of Loughborough University.
Holohan has contributed significantly in supporting Leicestershire business, including being a founder director of the National Print School, a former chair of Leicester College and serving on the School of Business and Economics Strategic Advisory Board at Loughborough University.
He achieved his MBA at the university, graduating with distinction in 1996 while simultaneously serving as chief executive of Leicester firm The Print People Group.
He left the company to found print and packaging industry M&A specialist Richmond Capital Partners in 2000 and to date has completed more than 200 M&A transactions as lead adviser.
Holohan said he was “surprised and very honoured” to receive the award.
“The list of distinguished alumni is very impressive, I feel humbled to be amongst their company. I’ve always been a supporter of Loughborough and I really enjoyed my time there. The whole experience was super and it changed my life in many ways.
“When I did my MBA the printing industry was going through massive changes, and that has all been seen since.
“The MBA prepared me for those changes that were going to take place and for that I’ll always be grateful because it made me see things differently and improved my decision-making. The research project that I did on the MBA is what made me decide to exit The Print People Group and start my own business.”
A Chartered Marketer, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Fellow of the Institute of Direct Marketing, Holohan has also written numerous academic papers and articles for various media and presented at several conferences, seminars and universities, as well as running advice seminars to print and packaging industry owners.
