Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue has today (Friday, February 23) announced that he has appointed Larry Murrin as the new chairman designate of Bord Bia to succeed the outgoing chair, Dan MacSweeney.
Minister McConalogue said: “Larry Murrin has extensive experience across the agri-food sector and will bring a wealth of valuable expertise in leading Bord Bia in the promotion and marketing of our food, drink and horticulture products here and abroad.
“As Ireland’s largest indigenous exporting industry, the agri-food sector plays a vital role in Ireland’s economy with an export value exceeding €16 billion in 2023, representing over 9% of in value terms of Ireland’s exports.
“Bord Bia plays a critical role in promoting the sector by providing strategic insight, marketing, and promotional support to help the sector continuously improve and develop routes to market.
“I have no doubt that Larry will guide Bord Bia to continue to deliver on its aim to bring Ireland’s outstanding food, drink and horticulture produce to the world, thus enabling growth and sustainability of our food businesses and primary producers,” the minister added.
Commenting on his appointment, Larry Murrin said: “As a practitioner in the industry for over 40 years and having served on the consumer foods sub board of Bord Bia since its inception, I am delighted to be appointed to the position of chairperson (designate) of Bord Bia.
“The agri-food sector is embarking on a new journey full of challenge and opportunity.
“My experience of working with and being a recipient of Bord Bia services for many years gives me the belief that we are safe in the hands of a progressive, knowledgeable, and ambitious organisation.
“During my term in office, I look forward to working with my fellow board members, CEO Jim O’Toole and his executive team to further the aims of the industry.”
Minister McConalogue also paid tribute to the outgoing chairman, Dan MacSweeney thanking him for the dedication and commitment that he gave to his role as chairman of Bord Bia over the last six years.
“I commend him for his leadership and contribution to the organisation,” Minister McConalgoue said.
“His engagement with the board and sub-boards of Bord Bia, and with food businesses and producers across the agri-food sector was very important in supporting the agri-food sector through a period of significant and numerous challenges.”
Chair designate of Bord Bia
Larry Murrin is co-founder and chief executive of Dawn Farms. Established in 1985, the company employs over 1,000 people across its four production plants in Ireland, the UK and Germany.
Murrin is chair of his family business, With Taste, and is a partner in Dublin restaurants Fire and Sole and through With Taste, owns and operates the Eathos chain of cafés and patisseries in Dublin.
From Co. Meath, Larry lives in Clontarf, Dublin with his wife and family. He is a past president of IBEC and was chair of Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII) for 12 years.
He also served on the Consumer Foods Board of Bord Bia since its inception and has been appointed to numerous committees in the agri-food sector including Food Harvest 2020, Food Wise 2025 and the more recent Food Vision 2030.
The position of chair of Bord Bia is for a period of three years and the appointment has been made following a competitive process managed by the State Boards service of the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
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 chairperson designate to attend before the Select Committee to discuss his or her strategic priorities for the role.
The chief executive of Ibec Danny McCoy has congratulated Larry Murrin on his appointment.
“Through his leadership of Dawn Meats and as a former president of Ibec, Larry has consistently championed the food sector and the broader business community.
“His advocacy and experience were particularly important during many crises for the food industry and during Covid and Brexit for the business community.
“Larry’s deep understanding of the sector and his unwavering commitment to its representation will greatly benefit Bord Bia.
“In addition, his extensive leadership background will undoubtedly bolster Bord Bia’s mission to promote the Irish food, drink sector, and navigate future opportunities and challenges,” McCoy said.