Animal Health Ireland (AHI) has appointed Kevin McConnell as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the organisation.
The announcement was made today (Wednesday, April 10) that McConnell would take over the role from Dr. David Graham, who announced his intention to step down in October 2023 to facilitate the transition to his successor.
A professional veterinary surgeon, McConnell has spent over 30 years in farm animal practice.
He managed a veterinary clinic in his native Naas which was acquired by the Highfield Veterinary Group in 2019.
Speaking about his appointment, McConnell said: “I am delighted to accept the role of CEO of Animal Health Ireland and look forward to working closely with the board and staff of AHI, as well as our industry stakeholders over the coming years.
“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, I am excited to progress the work with a view to a successful and sustainable farming and agri-food sector.”
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.
The chair of the AHI board, James Lynch welcomed McConnell and said his “commercial, regulatory and corporate governance experience” would help to strengthen the “management of the range of disease control programmes within” the AHI remit.
“In his veterinary work, Kevin has seen first-hand the support these programme offer farmers.
“I’m confident that Kevin will work closely with our industry stakeholders to drive our mission to improve the health and welfare of the national herd and the betterment of Irish agriculture,” Lynch added.
For outgoing CEO Dr. David Graham, on behalf of the AHI board, Lynch offered his thanks for “his dedication to the organisation”.
Lynch added the board acknowledged McConnell’s “contribution to helping Animal Health Ireland and its partner stakeholders deliver success in major disease programmes, like BVD”.