Executive Insights: How Ornua made Kerrygold a billion dollar brand

By Business & Finance

07 February 2023

Executive Insights, in association with KPMG, is an in-conversation content series featuring thought leaders from across the Irish business community. The series explores business strategy and how to navigate the current climate.

The latest installment of Executive Insights features John Jordan, CEO, Ornua in conversation with Nancy Fallon, Partner, KPMG. This episode of Executive Insights is available as a podcast.

The pair discuss Ornua recently being named Company of the Year at the Business & Finance Awards 2023. Jordan also discusses the company’s successes and overcoming challenges along with the opportunities presented by the COVID-19 Pandemic. He also gives advice on how budding entrepeneurs can find confidence in their product and use it to build a business.

John Jordan

John Jordan has a 25-year career in agribusiness and was appointed CEO of Ornua in 2018. He has overseen significant growth in sales and value returned to shareholders at the helm of the company.

Prior to his appointment, Jordan held a number of senior roles in the business including CEO of DPI Specialty Foods, a division of Ornua. DPI Specialty Foods is the third largest specialty food wholesaler and distributor in the US.

He is a graduate of Biotechnology from Dublin City University, with an M.Sc. from UCD and an MBA from Trinity College Dublin. Jordan also serves on the Board of Ornua Co-Op, Nextwave Distribution and is a member of the Advisory Board of Dublin City University Business School.

Nancy Fallon

Nancy Fallon is a Partner at KPMG in Ireland. She advises a range of clients on Irish and international tax matters. Her clients include large private groups and Public Companies. Fallon has a demonstrated ability in advising companies in the agri-business sector and has assisted companies with expansion in Ireland and abroad, acquisitions and restructuring.

She is an expert in the fields of Agribusiness, Food, Drink, Consumer Goods and Tax and holds a BBS in Accounting and Finance from Trinity College Dublin. Fallon is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland and a member of the Irish Tax Institute.

Ornua

Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its members. It exports to 110 countries worldwide and owns Ireland’s only €1 billion food brand, Kerrygold.

Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua has annualised sales of €2.5 billion and a global team of 2,900 employees. Ornua operates from 10 business units worldwide, including 16 production facilities, and has sales and marketing teams working in-market across the globe.

The Group is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. Ornua Foods is responsible for a portfolio of leading consumer brands including Kerrygold, Dubliner, Pilgrims Choice, Kerrygold Avantage, Forto, and BEO.

Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products and for the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers across the world.

Watch the latest episode of Executive Insights below