Dairygold Announces New Leadership Appointments for Dairy Ireland

Dairygold, a major player in the dairy processing industry, has announced significant changes in its leadership structure. The company has appointed Pat Laffan as the new general manager of Dairy Ireland. Laffan will be taking over from Eamon O'Sullivan, who is set to depart from Dairygold in December 2024.

Pat Laffan brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having held various commercial and financial positions within Dairygold. Most recently, he served as the head of commercial for Dairy Ireland. His educational background includes a degree in economics and finance from University College Dublin (UCD) and a qualification as a chartered certified accountant. He also holds a diploma in high-performance leadership and has completed the Dairygold Advanced Leadership Development Programme at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

Michael Harte, the chief executive of Dairygold, expressed confidence in Laffan's capabilities, stating that he "brings a deep understanding of our business operations, markets, and customers, having worked at Dairygold for over 20 years." Laffan's responsibilities will include enhancing the business's commercial and operational performance by leveraging recent investments in modern facilities to optimize financial outcomes.

In addition to Laffan's appointment, Dairygold has named Billy Cronin as the head of member services and engagement. Cronin will continue his work as head of the supply chain while also taking on his new responsibilities, reflecting Dairygold's goal of creating a more integrated and aligned approach to member engagement across its services. Michael Harte wished Cronin success in his expanded role, noting that he will lead the coordination of member services across agri-business, milk assembly, and other interactions such as farm sustainability and advisory services.