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Growing up in Dublin, Cormac Mac Reamoinn didn’t have much exposure to agriculture – that was until he attended boarding school on Inis Meáin, in the middle of the Aran Islands. While there, he lived with a family who owned a bed and breakfast/restaurant which focused on locally sourced ingredients.
“It was an eye-opening experience to see visitors from around the world come to this little island in the Atlantic to try traditional Irish food,” says Cormac.
“The dedication and passion with which the islanders farmed, prepared and served their food was matched only by the enthusiasm and delight of the guests staying there,” he says.
After studying international marketing at Maynooth University for his undergraduate degree, Cormac decided to pursue a Master’s in Global Business Practice at UCD Smurfit Business School, as part of the Bord Bia graduate programme.
The relationship between Irish cuisine and the wider world set the stage for Cormac’s career, promoting Irish food and drink abroad.
“I started in June 2023 with the Bord Bia graduate programme. After a comprehensive one-month training period in the Global Hub in Dublin, as well as the initial MSc modules in UCD Smurfit, I moved to London to take on a role with two elements.
“The first is with the prepared consumer foods team, where I help a variety of Irish companies make products such as bakery, meal solutions, non-alcoholic drinks, confectionery, and value-added meats. The other part of the role is in trade,” he says.
While salary is an important aspect of any role, the real value in a first job comes from the learning opportunities it offers
Through market research, developing strategic recommendations, and building relationships with UK trade partners, Cormac assists Irish companies to navigate the complex post-Brexit regulatory processes involved in exporting to Britain.
“This means keeping up to date with the constantly changing regulations, maintaining Bord Bia’s online trading with UK supports and organising in-person and online information sessions for Irish food and drink companies,” he explains.
For anyone looking at carving a career in agriculture and food production, Cormac offers the following advice: “The sector is incredibly broad and boasts a wide selection of companies, offering a diverse range of career paths.
“No matter where in the sector you work, graduate programmes are a great way to kick-start your career as they offer a broad range of opportunities and projects to work on so you can decide what area suits you best.”
Starting in any career can be as exciting as it is challenging, but Cormac found that saying yes to opportunities, even outside his comfort zone, is key.
“The early stages are all about learning, so ask questions, attend events, and get fully stuck into projects. That’s how you figure out your strengths and interests. Building a network is just as important, whether it’s your peers or more experienced colleagues, these relationships can shape your career,” he says.
Comfort zone
“Although I am based in London, I have worked on cross-functional projects with the digital and corporate services teams. I frequently work with different teams in Dublin, as well as the other international offices and this has helped me expand my knowledge beyond the day-to-day role,” he says.
While salary is an important aspect of any role, Cormac believes the real value in a first job comes from the learning opportunities it offers.
“Many industries will have similar pay scales for entry-level positions, but the experience you get can vary. In my case, the Bord Bia graduate programme stood out because of the opportunities it provides, from working with experienced colleagues to gaining practical skills in a fast-paced environment.
“On top of that, the MSc in Global Business Practice has been instrumental in linking academic theory with real-world projects.
“The chance to promote Irish food and drink abroad has been especially rewarding, giving me a sense of both purpose and pride,” he says.
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