The Board of BIM comprises six directors, including a Chairperson appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Our Board determines BIM’s programmes in the context of EU and national policies and oversees their implementation.
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Aidan Cotter was appointed by the Minister as chairperson of the Seafood Task Force in March 2021, which completed a comprehensive report in October 2021 – Navigating Change, the Report of the Seafood Task Force. The Task Force examined the implications of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation agreement for the Irish fishing industry and made a series of recommendations, many of which are now being implemented by BIM.
Aidan previously served as CEO of Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board – from 2004 until 2017, having earlier served the organisation in Dusseldorf and London. As CEO, he initiated significant strategic change across the organisation, covering a period which saw the sustained expansion of Ireland’s overall food and drink exports, the extension of its office network eastwards into the Middle East and Asia, and the establishment of its state of the art, globally connected Consumer Insight Centre.
In 2012, he initiated and led the launch of Origin Green, the world’s first national sustainability programme for food and drink, firmly establishing Ireland’s environmental credentials and its international reputation as a world leader in sustainability.
He served as Chairman of Slaney Foods, a joint venture between ABP Foods Group and the Fane Valley Group from 2017 to 2021 and currently Chairs the Plastics Action Alliance. He is a practicing barrister.
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Jean Callanan is a marketeer who has held significant international marketing roles including Global Brand Manager for Unilever’s Magnum ice cream. She has more than fifteen years of experience in the food and drink sector, with a proven track record in adding value to food products.
As Founder and CEO of Momenta Hub Jean works with clients in Ireland and Internationally to gain the momentum and energy that come from developing a compelling vision and a clear strategy.
Jean is Chair of the board of Irish Hospice Foundation.
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Marie Gleeson is the founder and Managing Director of NavMar Leadership which provides bespoke Leadership Consultancy, Coaching and keynote speaker services. She is also an Associate Consultant with Ingenium Training and Consulting. Marie is a former Senior Officer in the Irish Navy and commanded the LE AOIFE at sea in addition to completing UN service in Chad during her twenty year career.
She has extensive Human Resource Management and leadership experience working with multi-disciplinary teams at all levels. She also has unique maritime experience in crisis management, risk management and mitigation, decision making, and aligning public policy with strategy development and direction.
She is a member of the Board of Youth Work Ireland Tipperary and previously served two terms on the Research Ethics Committee of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin. Marie is a member of the Institute of Directors, the European Mentoring and Coaching Council and a Chartered Member of the CIPD.
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George Golden has been involved in the seafood business for over four decades in Co. Mayo. His shellfish company, Carrowholly Shellfish Limited, is based in Westport and was incorporated in 1980. The company deals in a wide range of species including mussels, oysters, winkles, lobsters and clams, with established markets in France, Spain and The Netherlands.
George has strong ties with Mayo GAA, having won an All-Ireland for his county in 1978, as a Minor U21 and was involved in the management of the team in later years.
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Bill (William) Deasy has been involved in the Irish Seafood Industry for over six decades.
A fisherman all his life, Bill operated whitefish and shellfish vessels out of Union Hall, Co Cork and established a thriving family business, which includes DC Fish, a supplier of frozen at sea prawns to retail and foodservice.
As one of Union Hall’s community leaders and organisers of the community response team to the Tit Bonhomme tragedy in 2012, Bill was awarded the Marine Ministerial letter of Appreciation for Meritorious Service for his dedication, professionalism, humanity and compassion, in providing invaluable assistance to the search and rescue operation; and the Community of Union Hall were honoured with a Marine Meritorious Service Medal for their selfless and dedicated response to the search and rescue operation.
A lifelong advocate of safety at sea, Bill continues his commitment to this cause, in order to ensure current and future generations can work safely in the seafood industry, and now holds the role of Station Master of the RNLI Union Hall Lifeboat station.
