Bandon Co-op has announced that Eilis Mahon, current managing director of Bandon Vale Cheese Ltd., was promoted by the board to CEO of the co-op from January 1, 2025.
Mahon holds a master’s degree in lean business systems from University College Cork (UCC) and has qualified as a chartered director from the Institute of Directors in 2024.
She has worked with Bandon Co-op since 2009 when the co-op purchased Bandon Vale from the Mahon family, and has since developed the business to be a key part of Bandon Co-op’s performance.
The announcement follows the decision of the co-op’s current CEO, Ger Brickley, who is now in his 11th year as CEO, to step down on January 1, 2025.
The outgoing CEO, however, has committed to continuing to work on a contract basis with Bandon Co-op, concentrating on key strategic priority projects, the co-op said.
Bandon Co-op
The board thanked Brickley for his contribution to the development of the co-op and its subsidiaries over the past ten years which have witnessed a period of “considerable growth and development”.
“The board is delighted that Ger has committed to continuing to aid in the delivery of Bandon Co-op’s business plans,” the co-op said in a statement issued today (Friday, September 13).
Following receipt of Brickley’s decision to step down as CEO, the board and Bandon Co-op chair, Vincent O’Donovan met to plan and execute the appointment of a new CEO from January 1, 2025.
The board has invested in succession planning and development of the management team in recent years and was confident to appoint the new CEO from within the management team.
To ensure an independent process, the board appointed Morgan McKinlay to lead the appointment process following which Mahon was announced as new CEO.
“Eilis is keenly aware of the challenges facing agriculture in west Cork, from retaining the nitrates derogation to continuing to improve the service and returns the co-op can deliver for its suppliers and customers.
“I know that she is looking forward to the challenge of this important role and I am confident that she will have a positive impact,” O’Donovan said.
The chair of the west Cork branch of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA), D.J. Keohane congratulated Mahon on her appointment as new CEO of Bandon Co-op.
Commenting on the appointment, Keohane said Mahon’s elevation is “popular as her familiarity with every aspect of the co-op’s business was widely acknowledged, as was her expertise”.
The ICMSA west Cork chair said he understands Mahon to be the first female CEO of Bandon Co-op and the first woman on the board of Carbery, and wished her well in both positions.
Keohane also paid “warm tribute” to Brickley who, he said, “steered Bandon through challenging times with aplomb and skill, without ever losing the confidence of his farmer suppliers”.