Dairygold has appointed Karen Sugrue Hennessy as an independent non-executive director to the co-op's board of directors, effective 1 January 2026.
A chartered accountant by profession and chartered director, she brings more than 25 years’ experience in governance, finance and strategic leadership.
Raised on a dairy farm in Co Kilkenny, Sugrue Hennessy is currently chief executive of the sustainable agri-tech business Real Leaf Farm (Ireland) Limited and former chief executive of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland.
Earlier in her career, Karen worked for 10 years as head of corporate development with Glanbia Nutritionals. She is also vice-chair of the board of Tourism Ireland and a non-executive director of the board of Waterford Port, plus chair of the audit and risk committees in both of those organisations. She holds an MBA from UCD.
Karen Sugrue Hennessy.
Dairygold chair Pat Clancy said: “Karen brings a wealth of board and executive experience, particularly in the nutritionals and agri-food sectors.
"Her strong financial acumen, commercial insight and governance experience will be of significant value to Dairygold, as we continue to build on our growth in dairy ingredients and nutritionals.”
Her appointment to the Dairygold board of directors will follow the scheduled retirement of Annette Flynn on 31 December 2025, who will have served the maximum board tenure of 10 years.
Flynn is one of two independent non-executive directors on Dairygold’s 12-person board, along with Patrick Gaynor.
Acknowledging Flynn’s role on Dairygold’s board, Clancy said: “Annette has been an excellent independent director who has made a very strong contribution to the board during her 10-year tenure, providing leadership and strategic insight with unwavering commitment.”
Dairygold has appointed Karen Sugrue Hennessy as an independent non-executive director to the co-op's board of directors, effective 1 January 2026.
A chartered accountant by profession and chartered director, she brings more than 25 years’ experience in governance, finance and strategic leadership.
Raised on a dairy farm in Co Kilkenny, Sugrue Hennessy is currently chief executive of the sustainable agri-tech business Real Leaf Farm (Ireland) Limited and former chief executive of the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland.
Earlier in her career, Karen worked for 10 years as head of corporate development with Glanbia Nutritionals. She is also vice-chair of the board of Tourism Ireland and a non-executive director of the board of Waterford Port, plus chair of the audit and risk committees in both of those organisations. She holds an MBA from UCD.
Karen Sugrue Hennessy.
Dairygold chair Pat Clancy said: “Karen brings a wealth of board and executive experience, particularly in the nutritionals and agri-food sectors.
"Her strong financial acumen, commercial insight and governance experience will be of significant value to Dairygold, as we continue to build on our growth in dairy ingredients and nutritionals.”
Her appointment to the Dairygold board of directors will follow the scheduled retirement of Annette Flynn on 31 December 2025, who will have served the maximum board tenure of 10 years.
Flynn is one of two independent non-executive directors on Dairygold’s 12-person board, along with Patrick Gaynor.
Acknowledging Flynn’s role on Dairygold’s board, Clancy said: “Annette has been an excellent independent director who has made a very strong contribution to the board during her 10-year tenure, providing leadership and strategic insight with unwavering commitment.”
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