Bord Bia's Global Food Summit

Jim recently retired as CEO of Tirlán Co-operative Ltd., a world-class food and nutrition business, with sales revenue of over €2.5 billion in 2023. Tirlán’s portfolio includes many of Ireland’s best known and most loved Irish brands, such as Avonmore. A graduate of UCC, Jim held several senior management positions after joining Glanbia in 1984, including Group IT Manager and Group Business Process director. In 2005 he was appointed CEO of Glanbia Ingredients Ireland. In 2012 he became CEO and executive director of Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Ltd., a joint venture company between Glanbia PLC and Glanbia Co-op. In 2021, Jim guided Glanbia Co-op to assume full control of the Glanbia Ireland dairy and grains business and it unveiled a new identity, Tirlán.

An alumnus of the University of Limerick, Niall joined the Dawn Meats Graduate Management Programme in 1995 progressing through the organisation having gained a broad experience across multiple sites. Appointed Chief Executive in 2007 at the age of 34, Niall and his team have spearheaded the development of the Group through mergers and acquisitions. In 2017 Dawn Meats merged its UK business with Dunbia becoming Britain’s largest beef and lamb processor and in 2020 acquired full ownership. Under his leadership the business continues to expand and is a recognised industry leader. Niall is passionate about innovation and champions environmental sustainability and efficient processing.

Nick Curtis-Davis is currently Director of the Global Strategic Insight Division at Bord Bia and a member of the organisation’s Executive Leadership Team. In a career spanning over 30 years in the food industry he has held leadership roles across Innovation, Marketing, Manufacturing and Technical Operations, and Change Management with blue chip organisations including Diageo and The Coca-Cola Company. In his current role Nick leads the delivery of highly valued Insight, Marketing, Innovation and Capability services for the Irish food, drink and horticulture industry. It is an expansive brief that seeks to create the conditions for the future success of our industry through global insight and thought leadership studies.

Shane Hamill is Bord Bia’s Director of Global Business Development, managing a global team across 15 geographies that aims to grow the value of Irish food and drinks exports. Previously, Shane was Bord Bia’s Strategic Projects Manager, leading key programmes, including the State Agency’s response to Brexit and Covid-19. Prior to this he worked as an agribusiness consultant for the UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome and at Landmark Public Affairs, a Brussels-based firm where he advised leading food & drink multinationals on EU policy and regulation.

Robin Mill was appointed to the role of CEO UK & Ireland in November 2019 and has been with Compass for over 15 years. Robin previously held the position of Group Chief People Officer across the business and prior to this role he successfully headed up the UK’s education division. Prior to joining Compass, Robin held various employee relations, organisational development and talent roles in Diageo and Kingfisher. Recognising the significant impact food has on the environment, operating sustainably and looking at innovative ways to reduce carbon now underpins everything that Compass does.

John Murray is the Director of Meat, Food & Beverage Sectors with Bord Bia. Within his role he has responsibility for client engagement and driving sector strategic plans, which includes optimising growth supports and services. He joined from Kerry Group where he held senior roles in commercial and strategy development across the European business. Prior to this, John worked in specialist dairy commercial roles with Ornua in both the UK and Ireland. He also has experience in retail procurement in the protein sector and, working in agri-food public communications with an Irish non for profit. He is a University College Dublin Agricultural Science graduate, and hails from (west) Waterford originally.

Jim O’Toole was appointed CEO of Bord Bia, The Irish Food Board, in November 2022. Previously, O’Toole held the role of Chief Executive Officer, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency from 2017 to 2022. Prior to this, Jim held several senior positions in Bord Bia, including spearheading the development of Origin Green, the worlds’ only national food and drink sustainability programme. O’Toole also gained extensive experience in the global marketplace having spent 15 years managing Bord Bia offices in London, Milan and Paris. A Board Member of the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB), Jim holds a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Science from University College Dublin.

Gaelle Saragaglia began her career in Accor, a global hospitality group, where she held various positions for more than 10 years. In 2018, she joined Sodexo Benefits and Rewards as a Project Lead for Transformation, People and Organization. In 2021, she became the Global Transformation Program Director for Supply Management at Sodexo, where she led and coordinated a strategic program to optimize the procurement and supply chain processes and systems worldwide. In 2023, she advanced to Vice-President Global Responsible Sourcing, where she is now responsible for designing and implementing a global strategy for responsible and sustainable sourcing, aligned with the group's corporate social responsibility commitments and goals.

Claire is the Managing Director for the Irish market at Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, where she leads the sales and marketing efforts for the entire Pernod Ricard portfolio of premium wines and spirits across Ireland. She is an integral member of the Irish Distillers Leadership Team and the Pernod Ricard Northern Europe CODI. Previously, Claire served as the Managing Director Brand Homes at Irish Distillers, where she spearheaded the impressive €12 million redevelopment of Jameson Distillery Bow Street. Under her leadership, the revitalized Jameson brand home has quickly become the most sought-after whiskey experience globally, attracting over 350,000 visitors within its first year of reopening in March 2017.

Simon Walker was appointed CEO of Kepak Group in 2021 after more than three decades with the company, during which he held various director-level roles in marketing, sales, and commercial functions. Before his appointment as Group CEO, Simon oversaw Kepak’s Foods Division, managing retail, food-to-go, and foodservice channels in Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe. A graduate of the Marketing Institute, he has significantly contributed to developing Kepak's branded portfolio which includes Rustlers, Big Al's and Francis Street. As CEO, Simon is responsible for 13 manufacturing sites across the UK and Ireland, leading a workforce of 4,500 and overseeing a turnover of €1.75 billion.