Bord Bia has confirmed that its Chief Executive Aidan Cotter will retire ‘early next year’.
Aidan Cotter was appointed Chief Executive of the food marketing board in July 2004.
Cotter previously served in Bord Bia as Director of Operations for a number of years, and earlier gained extensive experience in the marketplace as the organisation’s European Director, based in its London office, and prior to that in Dusseldorf.
In January, Bord Bia presented its review of food and drink exports for 2015 and an outlook for the year ahead.
For the year, it estimated that the value of Irish food and drink exports increased by 3% to exceed €10.8 billion for the first time.
The food and drink sector recorded its sixth consecutive year of export growth in 2015 as increased output in key sectors, favourable exchange rate developments and better returns for beef, seafood and beverages, helped to offset a considerable weakening in global dairy prices.
Bord Bia recently published its new Statement of Strategy, 2016 – 2018, “Making a World of Difference”.
The document sets out the key forces driving change in the marketplace and the strategic pillars that will guide the agency’s activities in the period ahead. It includes a renewed focus on routes to market and the importance of building its international market presence.
Bord Bia emphasised the importance of innovation, consumer insight and the need to add value.
Bord Bia has also announced the establishment of a new Insight Centre which will become operational in the early months of 2016. ‘The Thinking House’ will be located at the organisation’s Dublin offices and is designed to help companies successfully underpin new marketing and brand initiatives by ensuring the consumer is at the heart of everything they do.