Origin Enterprises has announced the appointment of a new managing director of the group’s agri-inputs division.
Brendan Kent will take over the role on October 1 next. He joined Origin in 1994 as chief financial officer of Power Seeds, then a subsidiary of Origin.
After that, Kent moved on to similar roles in fertiliser supplier Goulding and Origin Fertilisers. He has held the position of chief operating officer of the agri-inputs division since 2011.
He has also worked in a wider brief involving finance, IT, acquisitions, disposals and business reorganisations.
As managing director of the group’s agri-inputs division, Kent will lead the operations of Goulding, Origin fertilisers UK, Independent Fertilisers, Origin Amenity, Origin NI and Belgium-based fertiliser firm Pillaert Mekoson.
Brendan Kent
He will also oversee the co-ordination of Origin’s fertiliser activities.
Commenting on the new appointment, Sean Coyle, Origin’s chief executive officer, said: “I’m delighted to announce Brendan’s appointment as managing director of our agri-inputs division.
“Since joining the Group in 1994, Brendan has held a number of senior leadership positions and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role in both a financial and commercial capacity,” Coyle added.
Agricultural attaches
In other news, three new agricultural attaches have been appointed to work in the Irish embassy network overseas in the area of trade assistance and development.
The appointments were welcomed by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Dara Calleary and Minister of State with responsibility for new market development Martin Heydon, who wished the new appointees success in their new roles.
“Our enhanced focus on market access and trade is a key part of my department’s response through the twin challenges of the economic impact of Covid-19 and ongoing Brexit uncertainty. It is also very much in line with the market development theme under Food Wise 2025,” Minister Calleary said.