As reported by The Dealer in last week’s edition of the Irish Farmers Journal, Dale Farm chief executive David Dobbin is to retire later this year after 16 years in the position.

Dobbin is involved in various other roles in the agri-food sector and is to keep these positions when he steps down as chief of the United Dairy Farmers Co-op.

In a statement, Dale Farm said: “Dr Dobbin will still play an important and strategic role in Dale Farm and the wider dairy industry.”

He is current chair of the National Dairy Council Trade Association, Dairy UK and the Northern Ireland Dairy Council. Dobbin will also continue to sit on the NI Agri Food Strategy Board until it comes to an end in February next year.

In January, Dobbin was named as the only representative from the UK and Ireland to be appointed to the EU Agri Markets Task Force. The 12-member task force was set up by European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan to address issues in the food supply chain, such as market transparency.

Chair of United Dairy Farmers John Dunlop has wished Dobbin well in his retirement. “The board would like to thank David for his leadership and sterling contribution to the group, which he has successfully transformed into the UK’s largest dairy co-operative,” he said.

Taking over from the position is Nick Whelan, commercial director at Glanbia Ingredients Ireland (GII). Whelan has been at GII since 2007 and before that held various roles in the Kerry Group.

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