Bord Bia, this morning announced the appointment of Tara McCarthy as their new Chief Executive.
Ms McCarthy is currently the Chief Executive of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). She will succeed current Chief Executive, Aidan Cotter, who will retire in January 2017.
The West Cork native was appointed following a rigorous and competitive process overseen by the Board of Bord Bia.
Commenting on the announcement Chairman of Bord Bia, Michael Carey, said: “On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Tara McCarthy to Chief Executive of Bord Bia. Tara has clearly demonstrated her leadership capabilities during a 20-year career in the agri-food industry.The competition for the role was very intense and throughout the robust process, the panel was hugely impressed by the high calibre of candidates.
Prior to her role with BIM, Ms. McCarthy worked previously with Bord Bia in Germany and France, where she held the role of Director of France and Belgium from 1999 to 2001. She returned to Bord Bia’s Dublin headquarters in 2001 as Senior Manager Consumer Foods Division (2001 – 2011), and then Director Food and Beverage Division (2011 – 2015).
Mr. Carey added: "Tara is exceptionally well qualified to take the organisation to the next level, with a deep understanding of the work of Bord Bia. She has proven to be a strong leader and fully appreciates the need to build close relationships with the organisation’s key stakeholders. I am confident that Tara will meet any challenges facing the sector, and pursue new opportunities, with vision, determination and imagination.”
Speaking this morning, Ms. McCarthy said: “It is an honour to be asked to lead Bord Bia during what is a very exciting time for the Irish food and drink industry. Our total exports target of €19 billion, as set out by FoodWise 2025, is ambitious, yet achievable, and I am looking forward to working with all stakeholders, including farmers, food manufacturers and producers in order to reach that goal. I want to pay tribute to my predecessor, Aidan Cotter, and I hope to build upon his outstanding work over the coming years.”
Tara McCarthy holds a B.Comm from University College Galway and a Masters of Business Studies from UCD’s Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and holds a position of Board Chairman of Blossom Ireland, a Dublin based children’s charity.
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Donna Ahern
