Global nutrition group Glanbia plc, announced on Tuesday that, in line with its relationship agreement with Glanbia Co-operative Society Limited, it is appointing Independent Non-Executive Director, Donard Gaynor, as chairman in place of Martin Keane with effect from 8th October, 2020.
Martin will remain on the board of the company until his normal retirement at the 2021 AGM.
Donard Gaynor has been a director of Glanbia plc since March 2013 and is chairperson of the Remuneration Committee and a member of both the Audit Committee and Nomination and Governance Committee, as well as board director with responsibility for workforce engagement.
A Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, he joined premium spirits company Beam Inc. (previously listed on the New York Stock Exchange, based in Chicago, Illinois) in 2003 as senior vice president and managing director – international.
Prior to this, he served in a variety of senior executive leadership roles with The Seagram Spirits & Wine Group in New York and was also Audit Client Services Partner with the New York office of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Donard retired in December 2012 as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development of Beam, Inc.
In November 2016, Donard was appointed chairman of Hazelwood Demesne Limited ‘The Lough Gill Distillery’ Company.
Given his board tenure, it is intended that Donard will be chairman of the company until no later than the 2022 AGM, at which point he will have served on the board for nine years.
The company will announce a successor to the chair in advance of that date.
LOOKING FORWARD
Commenting on this announcement: Mr Gaynor said, “It is a privilege to be appointed chairman of Glanbia plc. I look forward to working with the Glanbia team and my board colleagues on the successful delivery of strategy and value creation for our stakeholders.
“On behalf of the board, I want to thank Martin for his stewardship of the Group, in particular for his leadership through the current Covid-19 pandemic.”
Mr Keane said, “It has been an honour to serve as chairman of Glanbia plc, I would like to thank Siobhán Talbot and my board colleagues for their support during my tenure as chairman.
“Since joining the board, Donard has brought experience and energy to Glanbia and in his role as Remuneration Committee Chair, he has led prior engagements with our shareholders.
“I know he will use those qualities and his experience to make an excellent chairman. I would like to wish Donard well as he takes up his new role.
