Teagasc has announced a second new appointment today (Monday, March 8), this time in the area of human resources (HR).
Following on from the appointment of Prof. David Kenny as the new head of its animal and bioscience research department, the authority has now confirmed that Valerie Farrell has been appointed as head of the human resources department.
The appointment was approved at a recent meeting of the Teagasc authority. This is being announced today to coincide with International Women’s Day, Teagasc said.
Valerie Farrell
Farrell previously worked for Intel Ireland from 2000 to 2004. Prior to that she was a senior HR consultant with Xilinx Ireland for five years.
At the start of her career she worked for asset finance company Lombard (part of Ulster Bank) and Coca Cola.
Farrell qualified with a Degree in Business Studies from the University of Limerick. She went on to complete a Masters in Change Management and Innovation at the University of Brighton.
She has worked with Teagasc for several years, and has led the design, consultation and delivery of its ‘People Leadership and Change Strategy’ which was agreed and published in 2012.
She is a member of the Teagasc People Strategy (2018) steering committee, leading a number of the staff development projects, as well as mentoring many of the project leaders.
Commenting on her appointment as HR head, she said: “I look forward to leading the Teagasc HR function and working with my colleagues to execute a goals-based HR strategy that improves organisational capability and positions Teagasc as a global leader in the agri-food sector.”
Teagasc Authority chairperson Liam Herlihy congratulated Farrell on her appointment, saying: “Valerie has a strong track record of delivery, both in Teagasc and in other roles she has filled.
“She has lead and supported a process of change in Teagasc human resources management and across the wider organisation. I wish her the very best in this management position,” Herlihy added.