Irish dairy cooperative Ornua has appointed a new CEO, current Dairygold chief executive Conor Galvin.

Galvin will take up his new role in May.

The new company head became CEO of fellow dairy business Dairygold in January 2022. He has held several “senior leadership” roles at the company since he joined in 2014.

Prior to that, he was finance director of DCC’s food and beverage division, accounting and control manager of Diageo Ireland and country finance manager of Procter & Gamble in Ireland.

Last August, Ornua announced that former chief executive John Jordan was leaving the company to head US-based private equity firm, Arbor Investments.  He headed the company for five years.

The Kerrygold butter owner’s current interim CEO is Donal Buggy who will “remain in his current role” until May.

From May, Buggy will return to his position as group chief financial officer.

Aidan O’Driscoll, Ornua' chair said Galvin “has a deep knowledge of the dairy sector and extensive senior executive experience”.

He added: “He is deeply committed to the cooperative nature of the dairy business and has a strong focus on working in close partnership with key stakeholders.

“My fellow board directors and I look forward to working with Conor as Ornua continues its journey of delivering long-term sustainable growth."

Galvin said he is “honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to lead Ornua into the future".

“For decades, Ornua has delivered significant value for Irish dairy families through the strong connection that it creates between farmers and consumers,” said the new CEO.

“I will encourage collaboration at all levels within the industry to positively address the challenges that face the sector in the years ahead. Ornua has demonstrated a long-term vision of growth and investment, and I look forward to leading the next phase of that development.”

Dublin-headquartered Ornua is supplied by around 14,000 farmers and is reputed to be Ireland’s largest exporter of dairy products.

It has annual sales of more than €3.4bn ($3.65bn).

Ornua has 3000 employees globall, and has 16 production facilities in Ireland, Germany and the UK.

The group is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. Apart from Kerrygold, Ornua Foods’ portfolio includes brands such as Pilgrims Choice, Forto and BEO milk powders.