Co-op members of Lakeland Dairies have backed major new changes in the structure of the Cavan-headquartered cooperative.

In a Special General Meeting (SGM) of Lakeland Dairies today (Wednesday, April 28) members approved changes to the co-op's governance structure, including a reduction in the number of elected board members of the co-operative.

At the time of the merger of Lakeland Dairies and LacPatrick Dairies in 2019, it was agreed to review the rules of the new merged society once the merger was completed.

The merger received the resounding approval of the members of both co-operatives at that time.

The board of the new Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society went on to establish a Governance Sub-Committee to carry out a review of shareholder representation and governance arrangements in the new Society. This was chaired independently by Teddy Cashman, with six members of the current board.

Following an extensive consultation process and deliberation over several months, the sub-committee reported to the board with recommendations on new governance structures which the board approved unanimously and recommended to members at the SGM.

In summary, following the approval of members at the SGM, the society will adopt a new rule book.

This includes the following modifications:

Commenting on the moves, Niall Matthews, chairman of Lakeland Dairies, said:

“The review process that has now been concluded through our SGM will enhance our corporate governance and will ensure that our democratic and leadership structures will continue to serve the best interests of all our members.

"We will be keeping members fully updated on the electoral processes which will take place in due course,” Matthews concluded.