Ireland and Lions rugby star Rob Kearney is putting his masters in business to good use.

But Sir Paul Pindar was more than benevolent; he was a master in business affairs and no mean diplomatist.

He studied science at University College Galway, followed by a PhD in organic chemistry and a masters in business.

Irish employers have topped a European table for sponsoring students in executive masters in business administration (MBA) programmes.

Guerin has a masters in business research, and did a study into the value of authenticity and sustainability in the case of Donegal tweed.

Michael Kenny grew up in Dublin and attended CUS and UCD, graduating with a BComm in 1998 and a masters in business studies in 1991.