Dairy processor Carbery Group has announced the appointment of John O’Brien as chairperson of the company.

O'Brien is currently the chair of Barryroe Co-op - one of the west Co. Cork co-ops that make up Carbery Group - and is also currently the vice-chair of Carbery.

He succeeds Vincent O’Donovan, who has completed a two-year term.

O'Brien is a full-time dairy farmer from Barryroe, and was first elected to the board of Barryroe Co-op in 1988.

He has served the co-op in several board and leadership roles, including as its chair from 2007 to 2014, as well as his current term as Barryroe chair.

He has also served on the Carbery Group board on several occasions, including a previous term as chair, and was a member of the board of Ornua from 2010 to 2014.

O'Brien has completed corporate governance programmes at University College Cork (UCC) and Dublin City University (DCU), and served as president of the Irish Grassland Association in 2002 and 2003.

He has also served at local, county and national executive levels of Macra.

Commenting on his appointment, John O’Brien said: "I am deeply honoured to be appointed chair of Carbery Group.

"Carbery is a business with strong co-operative roots in west Cork and a growing international presence across dairy, nutrition and taste," he said.

"The board’s responsibility is to ensure that the business remains strong, resilient and focused on long-term value for our farmer shareholders, while continuing to serve customers, support our people and invest for future growth," O'Brien added.

He said that his priorities will include supporting a leading milk price, helping to "secure the future of family farming in west Cork".

He said he also aims to ensure Carbery continues to grow "through innovation, sustainability and disciplined investment".

"I look forward to working with the board, Jason [Hawkins, CEO of Carbery], and the wider global team," he said.

O’Brien also acknowledged outgoing chair of Carbery Group Vincent O’Donovan, saying: "Vincent has provided committed and thoughtful leadership over the past two years.

"He has been a strong advocate for farmer shareholders, sustainable dairy farming and the continued growth of Carbery. On behalf of the board and Carbery’s shareholders, I thank him for his contribution as chair," O'Brien added.

Carbery Group reported revenue of €723 million in 2025, citing "strong underlying performance" across its dairy, nutrition and taste divisions.

The business said it continues to focus on international growth, customer-led innovation and operational discipline in "delivering long-term value and resilience for farmer shareholders in West Cork".