Glanbia’s Talbot first woman to take helm at a major Irish food company

Siobhan Talbot is set to succeed John Moloney as group managing director of Glanbia, at the end of this year — becoming the first woman to head up a major Irish food company.

Currently Glanbia’s group finance director — a role she has filled for the past four years — Ms Talbot will formally become group managing director-designate at the beginning of next month, with the appointment of a new group finance director expected “in due course”.

The move follows Mr Moloney — who has led the Kilkenny-based ingredients and dairy giant for the past 12 years and has been with the company for a quarter of a century — notifying the board of his intention to retire at the end of 2013, a year earlier than his initial due date.