Seán Molloy, Tirlán’s CEO Designate, answers the questions on everyone’s minds

Above: Seán Molloy, CEO, Tírlán

Tell us a little about yourself Seán
Along with my wife Fiona and our three children, Katie (17), Jack (15) and Andy (11), I live on our family farm in Co Offaly. My wife and I are both natives of Co Offaly where we returned to live when I started working for what was then Glanbia Plc – having worked and studied in Dublin for the previous 20 years. Growing up on a dairy farm, I have always had a great interest in farming and agriculture, an interest which to a large extent attracted me to working in the dairy industry.

What does it mean to you personally to be Tirlán’s next CEO?
Given its heritage, the calibre and dedication of the people who work for it, the passion of its members and its industry leadership position, Tirlán is an extraordinary organisation. To have the privilege to take on the role of CEO at Tirlán is both deeply humbling and a great honour. This honour is all the more significant given that I am following in the footsteps of Jim Bergin who over a career stretching back 40 years has brought Tirlán to where it is today – an internationally leading Co-op, highly invested and brimming with ambition for its members and employees.

What can employees expect over the coming months as you transition into the new role?
Over the coming months I will be working alongside Jim Bergin and my ELT colleagues to transition into my new role. As Jim is not departing until the late summer, there is a good time period for this transition to take place. In the interim, I will also be focused on continuing with the responsibilities associated with my existing role.

Have you considered what your key priorities will be when you take up the CEO position later in the year?
From a strategy standpoint my approach will be to ‘ensure continuity’, to build on the enormous strengths that this business has established over the years under the stewardship of Jim Bergin and my ELT colleagues.

In an ever changing world, I will also be mindful to ensure the business is positioned to navigate the next chapter of its development. The strategic deployment of our investment funds, an increasing focus on value creation and an ongoing determination to ensure the centrality of our customers to our business strategy will all be critical to our future success.

Along with my ELT colleagues, my focus will also be on continuing to build on the culture of coaching that is the hallmark of Tirlán, to foster the development of our people, to deliver on our D&I and sustainability agenda and to ensure meaningful and rewarding carers for Tirlán’s employees. This focus will ensure Tirlán continues to be a beacon that attracts and retains the very best people in every part of our business. This endeavour will also require us to continue to have the courage to address the hard questions and to make the hard decisions to ensure the long-term prosperity of our Co-op.

My approach will be to continue as a Co-op to put our farm families at the very heart of our organisation’s ambition – striving to develop ‘Our Co-op of the Future’, uniting employees and farmers alike in what is a noble cause.

If there was one thing you were most excited about/looking forward to what would that be?
I have always drawn great energy from engaging with people. In that regard, I am looking forward to interacting with and further getting to know my colleagues throughout the business and indeed with our Co-op members and getting feedback on the ambition we all have for the future of Tirlán.

Tell us one thing about yourself that might surprise people?
I first applied for a job with what was then Avonmore some 30 years ago – and got turned down! At the time the interviewer (who shall remain nameless!) told me during the interview that ‘the job would not suit me’ and I would be ‘better suited to a career in journalism’!