Vivienne Jupp has been appointed as the new chair designate of Coillte to succeed the outgoing chair, Bernie Gray.
Jupp was a global senior executive in Accenture, a large global management consultancy firm for 12 years.
Jupp said: “Coillte plays a very important role in delivering the multiple benefits of forestry, not just in the commercial sphere but also in relation to climate, biodiversity and recreation.
“I appreciate the very significant contribution that Bernie Gray has made to Coillte in her time as chairperson, and I envisage continuing her work driving Coillte to further success in the future.”
Coillte chair
The position of chair is for a period of five years, with possibility for an extension.
Prior to formal confirmation in the post, there is a requirement by which the Joint Committee for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has the power to require the chair to attend before the Select Committee to discuss his or her strategic priorities for the role.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Pippa Hackett paid tribute to the outgoing chair.
Minister Hackett added: “Since the foundation of the company in 1988, Coillte’s mandate has evolved significantly over the years, and it is now not only the nation’s largest producer of wood, but also the largest provider of outdoor recreation space in Ireland and undertakes nature rehabilitation projects at scale.”
Chief executive officer (CEO) of Coillte, Imelda Hurley said:
“Vivienne’s experience and support will be invaluable as we work to implement the objectives of our ambitious forestry strategic vision, which will play a key role in helping Ireland achieve its climate action targets”.