Enterprise Ireland chair Michael Carey resigns from role

Former Dairygold chief Jim Woulfe takes interim chair

The chair of Enterprise Ireland has Michael Carey has resigned, with former Dairygold chief Jim Woulfe now taking the role in an interim capacity.

The chair of Enterprise Ireland Michael Carey has resigned, with former Dairygold chief Jim Woulfe now taking the role in an interim capacity.

Mr Carey had been in the spotlight over reports his company East Coast Bakehouse had made late account filings with the Companies Registration Office.  Mr Carey is a major shareholder and executive chairman of East Coast Bakehouse. He said the late filing was "due to management administrative errors". "There is no suggestion of any financial issues at the company; the accounts for these periods are completed and the fully audited accounts are expected to be filed in the CRO by early July," Mr Carey's statement said.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke confirmed Mr Carey had tendered his resignation and said a process will now commence through the Public Appointments Service to appoint a new Enterprise Ireland chair. Mr Carey is also the chair of the board of the Housing Agency and he is also believed to have stepped down from this role.

"I would like to thank Michael Carey for his work and dedication to Irish enterprises over the last two years as chair of Enterprise Ireland and wish him all the best in the future," said Mr Burke.

"The Government and Enterprise Ireland have ambitious plans over the coming period, including to increase exports to €50bn by 2029, to establish 1,700 new Irish-owned exporters and to increase jobs in companies supported by Enterprise Ireland to 275,000. Supporting Irish SMEs, together with realising the significant potential we have in our innovative economy, remain my absolute priority. I am working closely with Jenny Melia, as CEO designate, and the board of Enterprise Ireland in this regard."

Former Dairygold chief executive Mr Woulfe, a member of the board of Enterprise Ireland, has agreed to act as interim chair in advance of the formal process concluding. Mr Woulfe was Dairygold chief until December 2021 when he retired after 42 years’ service.