Dunbia Appoints Deputy CEO

Dunbia has appointed former Moy Park director, Tony O’Neill, as Group deputy chief executive.

In this newly-created role, which will become operational on September 1, Tony will hold responsibility for Dunbia’s UK and Ireland business.

Making the announcement Dunbia Group chief executive, Jim Dobson, said: “This appointment marks a significant advancement for our company’s growth, particularly as we continue to fully integrate a rapidly expanding business. Tony brings enormous experience of large company management and corporate governance.

“His professionalism will be utilised fully as we weld his knowledge and contacts to our wider management team, adding a new level of resource to our operational effectiveness. Tony’s experience of managing growth and change should enable Dunbia to extract maximum value from our component UK and Ireland business units at this challenging time for the red meat sector.”

Tony O’Neill said that he relished the challenge that lay ahead, having long admired the energy and entrepreneurship demonstrated by Jim and Jack Dobson in growing Dunbia to become the market force throughout the UK and Ireland that it is today.

He said: “I am leaving a business accustomed to change and growth to join another equally dynamic business and I wish my former colleagues at Moy Park every continued success. I will be continuing to engage with Moy Park and the wider food industry through my chairmanship of the Agri-Food Strategy Board (AFSB) and in my NIFDA role as we work with the Executive to implement the recommendations identified in the AFSB  “Going for Growth” action plan and enable Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry to exploit its full potential.”