ABP Food Group (ABP) has today announced that Paul Finnerty will retire from his role as CEO on September 30, 2016.
Frank Stephenson, current Group Chief Operations Officer, has been appointed as his successor stepping into the role on October 1, 2016.
Frank, 45 and a native of Co Kerry, joined ABP in January 2015 as Group Chief Operations Officer (COO). He brings to the Group a wide range of operational, financial and strategic experience in international agribusiness having worked for 20 years with Glanbia plc in a variety of senior management roles in Ireland, the UK and the USA.
His most recent role prior to joining ABP was as COO of Glanbia Performance Nutrition, a $1billion revenue business based in Chicago, North America.
Commenting on the announcement, Group Executive Chairman Larry Goodman said on behalf of the Board he wished to express my sincere gratitude to Paul for his considerable contribution to the development of ABP in the past 11 years.
“Our business has achieved significant growth during his tenure and is well positioned to meet future opportunities and challenges.
“I am also delighted that Frank Stephenson is taking up the role of CEO. Frank’s extensive experience in international agri business, most recently in the USA, will bring skills and perspectives to the Group that will be important for ABP moving forward”.
Commenting on the announcement, Group CEO Paul Finnerty said having been with ABP for 11 years he feel that now is the right time to pass the role of CEO on to someone new.
Paul Finnerty, ABP Food Group CEO
“I am delighted that Frank Stephenson has been appointed as my successor. Frank brings great international business experience to ABP and his skill set ideally fits the hard working culture and drive of ABP as it positions itself for the next phase of growth and development.”
“I am very proud of what has been achieved by the Group and extend my sincere gratitude to the Chairman, Larry Goodman, and to the great management team that I have worked with across our five divisions. ABP is in great shape to continue its growth and I wish the business every success going forward”, he added.