It has been confirmed this morning that Dan MacSweeney has been appointed as the chair of Bord Bia for the next three years.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, recently announced the decision.

The appointment has been made following a competitive process managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).

Commenting on the appointment, the minister said: “I am delighted to appoint Dan MacSweeney to the post of chair of An Bord Bia. Dan is an outstanding individual, with a wealth of knowledge and experience of the Irish agri-food sector.

Dan’s reputation for developing a successful international agri-food business, while placing the primary producer at the heart of the business model is widely recognised.

“I am confident that he will provide innovative strategic leadership and direction to Bord Bia.”

MacSweeney – a graduate in Food Science from University College Cork (UCC) – recently retired as CEO of the Carbery Group, based in Ballineen in west Cork.

This was a role he had held since 1992; a period in which he played a key role in transforming the company from a dairy business into an international cheese, nutrition and food ingredients business – with substantial investments in flavours and natural extracts.

He has served on a number of boards in the past, including the board of Teagasc and the board of Ornua.

Paying tribute to the outgoing chair Michael Carey, Minister Creed stated: “I wish to place on the record my deep appreciation of Michael Carey’s commitment in chairing Bord Bia over the last number of years.

His business experience, effective chairing of the board and work with the organisation particularly in relation to the sustainability agenda and Origin Green has delivered tangible results.

Concluding, Minister Creed said: “The next three years will see major challenges for Ireland, particularly in the context of Brexit, and Bord Bia will benefit from continuity in strong leadership. I wish Dan success in this leadership role in promoting a market-driven Irish food and drink industry.”