Animal Health Ireland (AHI) has announced that its CEO, Kevin McConnell will step down from his role this month.
The board has thanked McConnell for his contribution and for business during 2024 and has begun the process to appoint a new CEO.
A spokesperson from AHI said: “Kevin has informed the board that while he has enjoyed working with the organisation during the past six months, he wishes to pursue alternative opportunities”.
McConnell had been appointed to the board in April this year, taking over the role from Dr. David Graham, who announced his intention to step down in October 2023.
Dr. Graham stepped down in April after taking up the role of CEO in 2017, and joining the organisation in 2010.
Following his appointment as CEO to Animal Health Ireland at the time, McConnell said: “My hands-on experience of AHI’s programmes has given me an insight into the important work we do and in conjunction with all our industry stakeholders.”
McConnell is a veterinary surgeon, who has spent over 30 years in farm animal practice. He managed a veterinary clinic in his native Naas, Co. Kildare which was acquired by the Highfield Veterinary Group in 2019.
Over the past four years, as clinical director of Highfield Veterinary Group, McConnell led the farm animal team in an expanded practice as the group went through further acquisition.
McConnell is also deputy president of the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) and has chaired the legislation and ethics committee and the practice premises committee.
He has also served on the audit, risk and finance committee, the fitness to practice committee and the preliminary investigation committee.