Ornua, the Irish dairy co-operative and Kerrygold owner, is pleased to announce two new senior appointments in line with the ongoing implementation of the company’s new global operating model.
Shane Henry, Managing Director of Ornua Dairy Ingredients
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 Managing Director, Shane 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. Along with a highly experienced team, Shane 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 key international customers across Europe, the UK, US, and MEA, and the wider Ornua Group.
Shane brings a wealth of senior level experience to the role from over 25 years working in several important management and business transformation and implementation roles at Ornua. Most recently Shane was Managing Director of Ornua’s Route-to-Market & Member Relations team. In his new role, Shane will report directly to Ornua Chief Executive, Conor Galvin.
Seán McHugh, Head of Global Manufacturing and Operational Excellence
Seán McHugh has been appointed as Head of Global Manufacturing and Operational Excellence. Reporting to Chief Operations Officer, Jason Musk, Seán 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.
Seán brings extensive experience and deep industry and business knowledge to the new position from his previous 25 years’ working at Ornua, during which time he held a number of highly successful management roles covering operational strategy and efficiency programmes across the Group.
Most recently Seán was Managing Director of Ornua’s flagship butter production facility Kerrygold Park in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork - the global home of Kerrygold butter. In parallel, Seán was responsible for driving the brand’s innovation agenda as Global Head of Research & Development.
Welcoming the new appointments, Conor Galvin, Ornua Chief Executive Officer said: “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.”
Integral to Ornua’s global growth ambition, the company’s new operating model – One Global Ornua - aligns commercial activities, operations, and group functions to drive efficiency, strengthen execution, and deliver sustainable value for Ornua’s customers, Members, and Irish farming families.
