Dairygold CEO Jim Woulfe has announced his decision to retire later this year after 42 years of working at the business and 12 years at the helm.
Dairygold says it will now begin the process to find a successor to appoint by year-end, which is when Woulfe will step down.
Jim Woulfe
A native of Ardagh, Co Limerick, Jim Woulfe (60) graduated in Dairy Science from University College Cork (UCC) and joined Ballyclough Co-op in Mallow in 1979.
He served in diverse management roles before the neighbouring Mitchelstown and Ballyclough Co-ops merged in 1990 to establish Dairygold.
He held a number of senior management roles in Dairygold, including milk supplies, head of human resources and head of agri-business, prior to being appointed Dairygold’s CEO in July 2009.
Commenting on his upcoming retirement Woulfe said: “It has been a huge honour and a privilege to have worked with the Dairygold board, management, staff, shareholders and customers during my term as CEO, in leading the Dairygold organisation through a period of substantial change and growth.
“I have enjoyed every year of my 42 years working in Dairygold and the Irish agri and dairy industry.
“I sincerely thank the many stakeholders in the business for the tremendous support I have been given over the years,” he added.
‘Outstanding performance’
Dairygold chairman John O’Gorman stated: “Jim has provided Dairygold with an outstanding performance throughout his career and in particular as CEO from July 2009 to date, he has worked with the board and enthusiastically led the business through twelve years of substantial transformation.
“He has served Dairygold and its members and staff with outstanding vision with Revenues growing from €555 million in 2009 to €1.02 billion by end 2020 along with the Net Asset Value (NAV) of the Society growing from €206 million to €388 million by end 2020, an increase of over 88% under his leadership,” O’Gorman concluded.