Paul Finnerty has announced his intention to retire as chief executive of ABP on 30th September 2016.

Frank Stephenson, current Group Chief Operations Officer, has been appointed as his successor stepping into the role on 1st October 2016.

Commenting on the announcement, Group Executive Chairman Larry Goodman said: "On behalf of the Board I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Paul for his considerable contribution to the development of ABP in the past 11 years. Our business has achieved significant growth during his tenure and is well positioned to meet future opportunities and challenges.

"I am also delighted that Frank Stephenson is taking up the role of CEO. Frank’s extensive experience in international agri business, most recently in the USA, will bring skills and perspectives to the Group that will be important for ABP moving forward”.

Paul was appointed acting finance director of Waterford Foods during its merger with Avonmore Foods which created Glanbia plc in 1997. He was then appointed partner in KPMG Corporate Finance with responsibility for the development of project Finance / PPP service offering in 1998.

ABP is in great shape to continue its growth and I wish the business every success going forward

Commenting on the announcement, Group CEO Paul Finnerty said: "Having been with ABP for 11 years I feel that now is the right time to pass the role of CEO on to someone new. I am delighted that Frank Stephenson has been appointed as my successor. Frank brings great international business experience to ABP and his skill set ideally fits the hard working culture and drive of ABP as it positions itself for the next phase of growth and development.

“I am very proud of what has been achieved by the Group and extend my sincere gratitude to the Chairman, Larry Goodman, and to the great management team that I have worked with across our five divisions. ABP is in great shape to continue its growth and I wish the business every success going forward", he added.

One of the largest in the EU

Frank, 45 and a native of Co Kerry, joined ABP in January 2015 as Group Chief Operations Officer. He brings to the Group a wide range of operational, financial and strategic experience in international agribusiness having worked for 20 years with Glanbia plc in a variety of senior management roles in Ireland, the UK and the USA. His most recent role prior to joining ABP was as COO of Glanbia Performance Nutrition, a $1bn revenue business based in Chicago, North America.

During his time with the company he has over seen the national and international growth of ABP into one of the largest meat processers in the EU.