Gillian Bowler facts for kids

Gillian Bowler (born 1952 – died 14 December 2016) was a very successful Irish businesswoman. She was the leader of important groups like Fáilte Ireland and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. She also made history as the first woman to lead a big Irish bank, Irish Life & Permanent.

About Gillian's Early Life

Gillian Bowler was born in London, England. She spent her childhood growing up on the Isle of Wight. When she was 14, she left school because she was ill. After that, she went to a college to learn secretarial skills.

Her first job was working for the local council. But she found it quite boring. So, she started her own small business on the side. She would organize fun dances for people. Later, she got a job at a travel agency in London.

Starting a Business in Ireland

As a young woman, Gillian moved to Dublin, Ireland. There, she and her husband, Harry Sydner, started a new company. In 1975, they created Budget Travel. This company helped people book package holidays.

Budget Travel became very popular. It was known for its honest and realistic advertising. Gillian later shared that it was sometimes tough being a young woman in business. She faced some unfair treatment because of her gender.

Leading Big Companies

Gillian and Harry sold most of Budget Travel in 1987. They sold their last part of the company in 1996. In 1998, Gillian joined the board of Irish Life & Permanent. This was a very big step. She became the first woman to lead an Irish public company.

After a big money problem in 2007 and 2008, some people were upset. Gillian even received threats. But she helped people who were affected by giving them money. She continued to lead the board until 2011.

From 2003 to 2008, Gillian was also the first leader of Fáilte Ireland. This group helps promote tourism in Ireland. She loved modern art and became the first leader of the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

In 2005, Griffith College Dublin honored Gillian. They made her a special fellow. This was to recognize her hard work for the public and her success in business.

Gillian's Family and Later Years

Gillian Bowler was married to Harry Sydner. She also had a stepdaughter and a granddaughter. Gillian passed away on 14 December 2016. She died from kidney disease.