Lakeland Dairies names Colin Kelly as next group CEO

Lakeland Dairies has announced that Colin Kelly will assume the role of group CEO following the retirement of Michael Hanley at the end of the year.

Left to right: Colin Kelly, future group CEO, Niall Matthews, chairman, and Keith Agnew, vice chairman.

Kelly will take up the position in January 2023, while Hanley will step down in December this year. Kelly currently works as managing director – trading and member relations at Ornua, having previously held a range of senior finance and general management positions at the company, including the role of CFO of Ornua Ingredients North America.

Niall Matthews, chairman of Lakeland Dairies, said: “Colin’s knowledge and experience of the Irish and international dairy industry will be of significant benefit to Lakeland Dairies where he will lead the ongoing future progress, growth and success of our co-operative in the interests of our 3,200 farm families, our staff and our global customer base”.

Lakeland Diaries produces a wide range of dairy food ingredients as well as foodservice and consumer products, exporting them to over 80 countries across the world.