Dairygold Board elects new Chairperson

3rd January 2025

Dairygold Co-Operative Society Limited today announced that Mr. Pat Clancy has been elected as the new Chairperson of the Society.
Mr. Clancy succeeds Mr. Seán O’Brien, who served as Chairperson of the Society for the past two years and recently stepped down from the Board having completed the maximum permitted consecutive service period on the Dairygold Representative Structure.

Mr. Clancy from Ballyporeen has been a member of the Board since 2018, the General Committee since 2008 and the Mitchelstown Regional Committee since 2006. Mr. Clancy served as Vice Chairperson of the Society from October 2020 to December 2022. His late father Pat was the last Vice Chairperson of Mitchelstown Co-Op and he also served on the Board of Dairygold.
Speaking after his election as Chairperson, Mr. Clancy said:

“I’m honoured to have been elected as Chairperson of Dairygold. Dairygold is a strong, well-invested and globally competitive business and an outstanding Co-Operative with a true commitment to its member shareholders. I am grateful to the Board for the confidence and trust they have shown in me today and to the members who have supported me over many years”.

“I would like also to pay tribute to my predecessor Mr. Seán O’Brien who served as Chairperson of the Society providing great leadership, commitment, energy and vision throughout his term, and in particular his unwavering dedication to the retention of the Nitrates Derogation and the advancement of the Society”.

“It is an exciting time to take on the role, as the Industry faces many opportunities and challenges, from which we must maximise the sustainable returns for all stakeholders. I am looking forward to working closely with the Board, the Chief Executive Michael Harte, the staff and all members to contribute to Dairygold’s continued success”.

Mr. Clancy is also Vice Chairperson and Director of the Munster Bovine Group and a Director and former Chairperson of the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC). He also currently serves on the Dairy Subsidiary Board of Bord Bia.

Mr. Clancy holds a degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering from Trinity College Dublin and a Diploma in Corporate Direction (Food Business) from University College Cork. He is married to Carmel and they have three adult children, Seán, Ellen and Alice. Pat and Carmel are farming in partnership with their son Seán.
The position of Vice-Chairperson will be filled at the next meeting of the Dairygold Board.