IRELAND – Irish dairy cooperative, Ornua has announced the appointment of the current CEO of Dairygold, Conor Galvin, as its new CEO and is set to take up his new role in May 2024.
Ornua, known for being the owner of the Kerrygold butter brand, had been led by interim CEO Donal Buggy after former CEO John Jordan left in August 2023 to head the US-based private equity firm Arbor Investments.
Conor Galvin assumed the role of CEO at Dairygold in January 2022, bringing his extensive experience in the dairy sector and senior leadership roles to the position.
His career includes roles such as finance director of DCC’s food and beverage division, accounting and control manager of Diageo Ireland, and country finance manager of Procter & Gamble in Ireland.
Ornua’s current interim CEO, Donal Buggy, will continue in his role until May, after which he will return to his position as the group’s chief financial officer.
Aidan O’Driscoll, Ornua’s chair, expressed confidence in Galvin’s ability to lead the cooperative, citing his deep knowledge of the dairy sector and commitment to cooperative values.
Conor Galvin expressed his honor and excitement about leading Ornua into the future. He emphasized the cooperative nature of Ornua’s business and its strong connection between farmers and consumers.
Galvin also highlighted his focus on collaboration within the industry to address challenges and continue Ornua’s growth and investment.
Ornua, headquartered in Dublin, is known for its Kerrygold brand and is supplied by approximately 14,000 farmers. It is reputed to be Ireland’s largest exporter of dairy products, with annual sales exceeding €3.4 billion (US$3.65 billion).
The cooperative has a global workforce of 3,000 employees and operates 16 production facilities in Ireland, Germany, and the UK.
The cooperative is structured into two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. Apart from Kerrygold, Ornua Foods’ portfolio includes brands like Pilgrims Choice, Forto, and BEO milk powders.
Conor Galvin’s leadership will be pivotal as Ornua navigates the challenges and opportunities in the dairy sector, with a focus on sustainable growth and collaboration within the industry.
Subscribe to our food and agriculture industry email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE
