Bord Bia, the semi-state agency responsible for the promotion, trade development, and marketing of Irish food, drink, and horticulture in Ireland and globally, has today announced that Jim O’Toole has been appointed as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Jim was appointed by the Board of Bord Bia, following an open and competitive recruitment process and is scheduled to take up the position on November 1st.
He is currently CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency and is highly experienced in global food marketing, sustainability development and change leadership.
Announcing the appointment, Chairman of Bord Bia, Dan MacSweeney, said: “On behalf of the Board I’m delighted to announce the appointment of Jim O’Toole as CEO of Bord Bia. We welcome Jim to Bord Bia and the knowledge, experience and insight he brings to the role and to the organisation. His considerable experience in the agrifood sector, depth of international experience and strong corporate, strategic and operational expertise makes him an ideal leader to deliver strategic transformation, building on the great work of his predecessors and the rest of the Bord Bia team. We look forward to working with Jim, and are confident his leadership will ensure Bord Bia continues to deliver on its strategic mission to promote sustainably-produced Irish produce to customers around the world.”
“On behalf of the Board of Bord Bia, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Michael Murphy for his commitment and dedication to Bord Bia and the food, drink and horticulture sector during his term as Interim CEO, which has ensured the continued successful delivery of our new and exciting strategy, while navigating the key issues currently facing the industry and the organisation.”
Charlie McConalogue T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, commented: “I know Jim will be a success as the new CEO of An Bord Bia. Jim brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and strategic understanding of our agri-food sector. I have worked closely with Jim in his current role as CEO of BIM, and he will be an excellent CEO for Bord Bia. This is a very exciting time for our agri-food industry and Jim will lead a very talented team during one of the most defining periods for our sector.
“I particularly thank Michael Murphy, who will continue to lead Bord Bia as Interim CEO until November. Along with Minister of State Martin Heydon T.D., I look forward to leading a major agri-food trade mission to key Asian markets (Japan, Singapore and Vietnam) with Bord Bia and my Department, starting at the end of August.”
Minister of State Martin Heydon T.D., who has responsibility for new market development, said: “I have no doubt that Jim’s experience will be invaluable to Bord Bia as we continue to position Irish food and drink produce in markets all across the world. I look forward to working closely with Jim and the team in Bord Bia to the benefit of our farmers and growers, the food and drink industry, and Ireland’s overall economy.”
Minister of State Senator Pippa Hackett also welcomed the appointment saying: “I look forward to working with Jim to build on the work Bord Bia is undertaking in developing markets for organic produce. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Michael Murphy for his excellent stewardship as Interim CEO.”
It is anticipated that Jim O’Toole will join Bord Bia in November when Michael Murphy will return to his position as Director of Organisation and Industry Talent.
Jim O’Toole said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Bord Bia’s CEO and I look forward to working with the Board and the talented team in Bord Bia to implement the recently published strategy. I have been most fortunate to have previously spent over twenty years in Bord Bia and more recently have had the privilege of being the CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara for over five years. I sincerely wish my BIM colleagues the best for the future and look forward to continuing the close collaboration between the two agencies.”
