Shane Lowry faces pressure to end Kingspan deal amid Grenfell report

Shane Lowry, a prominent golfer, is under increasing pressure to terminate his sponsorship deal with Kingspan, an insulation company implicated in the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy. The final report of the Grenfell inquiry, which is expected to criticize Kingspan for its role in supplying combustible insulation, is set to be released soon. Lowry has faced persistent calls from bereaved families and survivors of the fire, which occurred on June 14, 2017, to end his association with the firm, as he prominently displays its logo on his golf attire. Kingspan has been accused of malpractice regarding the safety and compliance of its insulation products, which were used in the tower's refurbishment. Although the company acknowledged some process shortcomings, it denied that these contributed to the fire's cause. The inquiry has already established that the primary cause of the fire's rapid spread was the cladding panels made by another firm, Arconic, but it also noted that Kingspan's insulation contributed to the fire's intensity. The Grenfell United group, representing affected families, has expressed deep frustration over Lowry's continued sponsorship, stating it is offensive and upsetting. They have campaigned for years for him to sever ties with Kingspan, highlighting the emotional toll on those impacted by the disaster. In a broader context, Kingspan has faced similar pressures in other sponsorships, including its recent decision to end its long-standing sponsorship with Ulster Rugby. The outcome of the Grenfell inquiry may further influence public perception and corporate sponsorship decisions related to Kingspan.