The Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) has appointed Sean O’Connor as the association’s new national commercial manager.
In a statement on the matter, the FCI noted that O’Connor “brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role” for the association as it “prepares for an expansion of its services and membership”.
The new appointment is a graduate of IT Tralee, having completed a Diploma in Agricultural Engineering, followed by a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree from Warnborough College in the UK.
At the FCI, the new manager will work “to enhance the membership and commercial offers available to FCI members”. He will explore a range of options to enhance the role of the farm and forestry contractor in Irish farming, the association added.
In welcoming O’Connor to the FCI, the association’s national chairman Richard White said:
“The FCI has entered a new and exciting phase in its development with the arrival of Sean O’Connor to our team.
We are delighted to have the benefit of Sean’s professionalism and experience to further enhance the status of the FCI as supporting farm and forestry contractors in Ireland and to get due acknowledgement for the skills and expertise of rural-based contractors.
He added that these contractors “provide the power behind Ireland’s world-class food and forestry industries where the annual contractor sector turnover now is worth more than €700 million”.
O’Connor himself also commented, stating: “This is an exciting time for the organisation and I look forward to working with contractors throughout the country; the FCI is an important platform for all farm and forestry contractors in Ireland.”
The new commercial manager is a native of Kilbrittain, Bandon, Co. Cork, and has interests in Gaelic football and golf.