Liam Herlihy is to step down as chairman of Ireland-based food group Glanbia in May.

Herlihy has been a director at Glanbia since 1997, becoming vice chairman in 2001 and chairman in 2008.

John Callaghan, Glanbia’s senior independent director, said: “The chairman’s depth of experience and knowledge of the group provided strong and focused leadership during a hugely important period of transformation.”