Cross-border dairy cooperative Lakeland Dairies has appointed Oliver McAllister as its new chief financial officer (CFO).
McAllister has over 20 years’ experience in finance and strategy and has spent the last decade in some of the largest agri-food companies on the island.
He departs his current role as CFO with veterinary pharmaceuticals company Norbrook and will join Lakeland Dairies where he will be a member of the co-op’s senior leadership team.
New chief financial officer
McAllister started his career working on mergers and acquisitions with PwC before pursuing a path in the agri-food industry.
Prior to his role at Norbrook, he was CFO at Dale Farm Ltd. and CFO at Foyle Food Group. According to Lakeland, during his tenure as CFO of these businesses, they experienced significant growth with McAllister playing a key and strategic role.
Welcoming Oliver McAllister to Lakeland Dairies, group CEO Colin Kelly said: “In Oliver, we have appointed a CFO with a tremendous track record of innovation, strategic thinking, and business growth.
“He has a deep, intrinsic and invaluable understanding of the cooperative sector as well as the wider agri-food industry.
“We are at a hugely exciting time for Lakeland Dairies as we continue to execute our ambitious strategy ‘Foundations for a Better Future’.”
Kelly said the processor’s goal is to deliver “sustainable prosperity” for 3,200 farm families who supply the co-op.
“Oliver’s vision, talent and acumen will ensure that we can realise the ambitions of our strategy for the benefit of our farmers, our people, our customers and the communities we serve,” Kelly continued.
‘Excited’ to join Lakeland Dairies
Commenting on his appointment with Lakeland Dairies, Oliver McAllister said: “I’m delighted to be joining my local dairy cooperative.
“The dairy industry and the wider cooperative movement play a hugely important role in enhancing the lives of people and communities across rural Ireland, and this is a contribution that I deeply value.
“I’m excited to be joining Lakeland Dairies at such an important time for the company. I look forward to working collectively and collaboratively with all the great people throughout the cooperative to ensure we realise our new strategic direction.”
A native of Co. Antrim, Oliver McAllister holds a bachelor of science in finance from Queen’s University, Belfast.
He is a chartered accountant and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. Oliver lives in Co. Fermanagh with his wife and three daughters.
