Ornua names two senior roles

Ornua, the Irish dairy co-operative and Kerrygold owner, has announced two new senior appointments in line with the ongoing implementation of the company’s new global operating model. 

Shane Henry has been appointed as managing director of Ornua Dairy Ingredients. The newly established global business unit within the Ornua Group, brings together Ornua’s member relations and services, dairy procurement, dairy trading, and route-to-market activities as one dedicated platform focused on maximising value from Irish dairy. 

In his role as MD, he will be responsible for the further development of strong, sustainable, and profitable routes to market for Irish dairy products produced by Ornua’s member co-operatives. Henry will lead the development and implementation of Ornua’s route-to-market commercial strategy, strengthening alignment with member co-operatives, and driving the global performance of Ornua’s dairy ingredients businesses, servicing customers across Europe, the UK, US, and MEA, and the wider Ornua Group. 

Most recently Henry was MD of Ornua’s route-to-market and member relations team. In his new role, he will report directly to Ornua chief executive, Conor Galvin. 

Meanwhile, Seán McHugh has been appointed as head of global manufacturing and operational excellence. Reporting to COO Jason Musk, he will have responsibility for driving performance across Ornua’s extensive global manufacturing footprint and creating value through the establishment of a standardised operational excellence programme.  

McHugh was MD of Ornua’s flagship butter production facility Kerrygold Park in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. He was also responsible for driving the brand’s innovation agenda as global head of research & development. 

Welcoming the new appointments, Galvin, Ornua CEO says “The introduction of a more focused and agile global operating model is key to the delivery of our new and ambitious five-year growth strategy, which will drive value for Ornua’s Member Co-operatives and Irish farming families, while serving the needs of our customers across the globe. As part of these changes, I’d like to congratulate Shane Henry and Seán McHugh on their appointments to two newly-created senior leadership positions. Both bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their important new roles having held a range of senior level management positions within Ornua over some 25 years.”