Prof. Thia Hennessy, dean of Cork University Business School (CUBS) at UCC, has been appointed to the Teagasc Authority by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed.

Chairman of Teagasc Dr. Noel Cawley congratulated Prof. Hennessy on her appointment.

He said: “Thia brings enormous knowledge of research and education, coupled with a deep understanding of the structure and economics of Irish farming and agriculture to the Authority. I look forward to working with her.”

From a farming background in Co. Cork, Prof. Hennessy has a BA in Economics and Finance from NUI Maynooth, a Masters in Business Studies from the Smurfit Business School (UCD), a PhD from the University of Reading and is a recent graduate of the Harvard Business School Agri-business Programme.

She is a member of the board of directors of the Irish Management Institute, Cork Chamber and a former director of Animal Health Ireland.

Prof. Hennessy is also professor and chair of Agri-Food Economics in UCC. Her research interests include the sustainable development of the agri-food sector with a particular interest in the impact of public policy on the viability of the farm sector.

She has published widely in both the academic literature and mainstream media, according to Teagasc.

Prior to joining UCC in 2016, Professor Hennessy was head of the Teagasc Agricultural and Environmental Economic Research Department. She was also responsible for the Teagasc National Farm Survey.

Dr. Cawley acknowledged the contribution of Dr. Karina Pierce who stepped down after a term on the Teagasc authority.

Dr. Cawley said: “I would like to thank Karina for her significant contributions to Teagasc during the past five years.

As chair of the Research Committee of the Teagasc authority, she played an important role in leading the direction of the organisation’s research across the wide range of areas we are involved in.

Brendan Gleeson of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Prof. Gerald Fitzgerald, UCC, have both been reappointed for second terms on the Teagasc Authority.

Authority Vacancy

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed has invited applications from candidates to chair the Teagasc authority.

Dr. Cawley will have completed his second term as chairman of the Teagasc authority in September of this year.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 3.00pm on Monday, June 11, 2018. For those interested, more information and application details are available on the State Boards website here.