Press release
Minister McConalogue announces appointment of Larry Murrin as new Chairman designate of Bord Bia
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue today announced that he has appointed Mr Larry Murrin as the new Chairman designate of Bord Bia to succeed the outgoing Chairman Mr Dan MacSweeney.
Minister McConalogue said:
“Larry Murrin has extensive experience across the Agri food sector and will bring a wealth of valuable expertise in leading Bord Bia in the promotion and marketing of our food, drink and horticulture products here and abroad. As Ireland’s largest indigenous exporting industry, the Agri-food sector plays a vital role in Ireland’s economy with an export value exceeding €16 billion in 2023, representing over 9% of in value terms of Ireland’s exports. Bord Bia plays a critical role in promoting the sector by providing strategic insight, marketing, and promotional support to help the sector continuously improve and develop routes to market. I have no doubt that Larry will guide Bord Bia to continue to deliver on its aim to bring Ireland’s outstanding food, drink and horticulture produce to the world, thus enabling growth and sustainability of our food businesses and primary producers."
Commenting on his appointment, Larry Murrin said:
“As a practitioner in the industry for over 40 years and having served on the consumer foods sub board of Bord Bia since its inception, I am delighted to be appointed to the position of Chairperson (Designate) of Bord Bia. The agri-food sector is embarking on a new journey full of challenge and opportunity. My experience of working with and being a recipient of Bord Bia services for many years gives me the belief that we are safe in the hands of a progressive, knowledgeable, and ambitious organisation. During my term in office, I look forward to working with my fellow board members, CEO Jim O’Toole and his executive team to further the aims of the industry.”
Minister McConalogue also paid tribute to the outgoing Chairman, Mr Dan MacSweeney:
“I thank Dan MacSweeney for the dedication and commitment that he gave to his role as Chairman of Bord Bia over the last six years. I commend him for his leadership and contribution to the organisation. His engagement with the Board and Sub-Boards of Bord Bia, and with food businesses and producers across the Agri-food sector was very important in supporting the agri food sector through a period of significant and numerous challenges. I wish Dan the very best for the future."
Larry Murrin is co-founder and Chief Executive of Dawn Farms. Established in 1985, the company employs over 1,000 people across its four production plants in Ireland, the UK and Germany. Larry is Chairman of his family business With Taste and is a partner in Dublin restaurants Fire and Sole and through With Taste owns and operates the Eathos chain of Cafés and patisseries in Dublin. From Co. Meath, Larry lives in Clontarf, Dublin with his wife and family.
He is a past President of IBEC and was Chairman of Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII) for 12 years. Larry has also served on the Consumer Foods Board of Bord Bia since its inception. He has been appointed to numerous committees in the agri-food sector including Food Harvest 2020, Food Wise 2025 and the more recent Food Vision 2030.
The position of Chairman of Bord Bia is for a period of three years and the appointment has been made following a competitive process managed by the State Boards service of the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
Prior to formal confirmation in the post, there is a requirement (under Standing Orders of Dail Eireann and the Code of Governance of State Bodies) by which the Joint Committee for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has the power to require the Chairperson designate of a body or agency under the aegis of this department, to attend before the Select Committee to discuss his or her strategic priorities for the role.