The Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has announced the appointment of seven members to the Board of Bord Bia, for three year terms.

The persons appointed are: Rachel Doyle, Rhona Holland, Tony Keohane, Tom Moran, Raymond O’Rourke, Brody Sweeney and Patrick Whelan.

Tom Moran is the former General Secretary at the Department of Agriculture. Brody Sweeney founded O’Brien’s Sandwich bars. Rachel Doyle is the MD of the Arboretum garden centre in Carlow.

Rhona Holland is the Global Marketing Director Pepsi Co. Tony Keohane,  is the Chairman Tesco Ireland.

Raymond O’Rourke is a food and consumer lawyer and Patrick Whelan owns Whelan’s Butchers and is a farmer.

Welcoming the newly appointed members, the Minister said An Bord Bia is a valuable conduit to global markets for the Irish food sector.

“Its excellence and professionalism have helped to secure agri-food exports worth €10.43 billion in 2014. That success is underpinned by high calibre Board members who, through their expertise and knowledge of the food, drinks and horticulture industry, enable Bord Bia to constantly extend its capacity. I wish the new members of the board every success during their terms of office.”

Commenting on the appointments, the Chairman of the Board of Bord Bia, Michael Carey said Bord Bia is delighted to welcome these appointments by the Minister, adding further expertise to an already highly committed Board.

“The quality of discussion and decision making by this Board will be enhanced by the contributions of such high calibre individuals, working together to help build Ireland’s most important and most successful indigenous sector.”