North Cork Creameries CEO Pat Sheahan to step down
Pat Sheahan has served at North Cork Creameries since 2013. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan /OSM
The chief executive of North Cork Creameries is to step down at the end of the year, it has been announced.
Pat Sheahan had served at the company since 2013. North Cork Creameries employs around 100 people locally and has 250 family farm milk suppliers.
In a statement, North Cork Creameries board chairperson Thomas O'Donoghue said: “On behalf of the board, I sincerely thank Pat Sheahan for his tireless contribution, personal commitment, and dedicated service to North Cork Creameries.
"He has led our organisation and operation with energy and integrity and has made very significant progress in modernising and developing our facilities and in growing our business in support of our farm families.”
Mr Sheahan said: “It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of North Cork Creameries. Our farmer members and employees are the heart of this organisation. As I now move on to other opportunities, I want to thank the chairman, board, our milk suppliers, customers and especially my management team and all of our staff for their dedication and support, and I wish North Cork Creameries every success in the years ahead.”
Mr Sheahan has also served as chair of Dairy Industry Ireland, the Ibec group representing the dairy and specialised nutrition processing sector, where he was appointed in 2023. He has served as CEO of North Cork Creameries since 2013, prior to which he worked with Kerry Group plc in Europe and the UK. Under his leadership, North Cork Creameries has achieved significant growth and progress including mergers with Feale Bridge & Headley Bridge Co-operative in 2018, and Newtownsandes Co-operative in 2019.
The new interim CEO has been named as Bord Bia board member Michael Cronin, who is a former CEO of the neighbouring Newmarket Co-operative. Mr Cronin is a former CEO of Newmarket Co-operative. He is currently a board member of Bord Bia and IFAC and is former Chairman of Ornua. He is also Chairman of the TB Forum and involved in a number of other projects in the agrifood industry.
Mr O'Donoghue added: "We are pleased Michael has agreed to step into the role of interim CEO during this transition period.
"The board will now commence a formal process to appoint a new CEO over the coming months. Our focus remains on performance, sustainability and supporting our farming families and customers."
