Jim Woulfe

Jim Woulfe, Chief Executive of Dairygold Co-Operative Society until December 2021 when he retired after 42 years’ service. Dairygold is a leading global Agri & Dairy company with locations in Ireland, UK, Germany, Spain and China. Dairygold employs 1,275 people directly and with a turnover of €1.02 billion, has c. 7,000 shareholders and is the country’s second-largest dairy processor assembling 1.49 billion litres of milk annually from its 2,700 milk producers.

Jim has worked in the agri-food sector throughout his career. A UCC Dairy Science graduate, he joined the milk processing division Ballyclough Co-operative in 1979 (subsequently merged into Dairygold). He has held many leadership roles throughout his career including Head of HR at Dairygold and Head of Agri Business Dairygold before his appointment as Chief Executive in 2009.

Jim successfully led Dairygold through the EU deregulation of milk controls and the subsequent growth and expansion, with the objective being to maximise returns to farmer members while simultaneously growing the net asset value of the business. The Dairygold business has grown substantially from a turnover of €555m and profitability of €8m in 2009, to a turnover of €1.02 billon and profitability of €26m in 2020.

Working with the Dairygold Board, together with other stakeholders, Jim led the largest capital investment programme in Dairygold’s history. A total of €450m has been invested in the business which has seen milk supply grow by over 80% to 1.49 bn litres in 2021. The capital investment has not just regenerated its Dairy Sites but has established world-class Dairy processing facilities across the business serving the Co-op’s Members and the wider community well into the future.