Siobhán Talbot steps down from Glanbia

tors as people who consider that women have no place in politics, their actions can often spur women on. Dr Michelle Maher, Programme Manager with See Her Elected, explained that women “often voice an opinion in SHE election workshops that if they allow such people to put them o running, nothing will ever change.” e See Her Elected submission to the task force provides a unique insight into what women in rural Ireland encounter once they make their political ambitions known.

Much of what goes on can be insidious in nature and hard for women to constantly call out such as “a complete refusal to use my proper name on multiple occasions or bypassing or trivialising my contribution.”

Women told of “being shouted at and told to leave politics to men” and being “laughed at and told my husband would be better for the job. I was given out to and told it wouldn’t be fair on my children and I was told I didn’t have the looks for politics.”

Rather than being supportive, there were accounts of women being undermined by their party locally.

Dr Maher explained that “one woman recorded how at meetings there was an attack on her character, and her point of view was dismissed. Demeaning language was allowed, and she could see that decisions were made outside of the ocial meeting. Another woman who had publicly said at a political meeting that she was thinking of going for election was accosted twice the following week by the elected representative and a supporter because in their opinion “she would split the vote.”

Siobhán Talbot is to retire from Glanbia after 10 successful years as Group Managing Director. She will step down from her position and from the Glanbia Board on December 31 and will retire from the Kilkenny based group in January 2024.

Hugh McGuire, currently Chief Executive O cer of Glanbia Performance Nutrition (GPN), will be appointed CEO of Glanbia plc and join the Glanbia Board as an Executive Director as of January 1.

Donard Gaynor, Chairman of Glanbia, said: “On behalf of the board I would like to express our deep gratitude to Siobhán for her leader- ship and contribution to Glanbia over the past 10 years as Group Managing Director. A deeply principled and values-driven leader, Siobhán has provided outstanding strategic direction to Glanbia, reshaping the business and its culture to become a clear leader in the world of better nutrition. She led the creation of a focused business which is aligned to growing consumer trends with clear purpose and values, a strong balance sheet and continued ambition for growth which are all key parts of her distinguished legacy.

“ e board is delighted to appoint Hugh McGuire as CEO of Glanbia e ective January 1. Hugh has led the growth and evolution of GPN with unrelenting focus to become a global leader and a key earnings generator. He combines a passion for our business and our served markets with entrepreneurial air and a growth mind-set.”

Siobhán Talbot said: “It has been my great privilege to lead Glanbia over the past 10 years. I am very proud of how the organisation has evolved, grown and strengthened over this period. It is well positioned for the next phase of growth with great people, culture and capabilities. I want to thank my leadership team and all my colleagues right across the group for their hard work and commitment to Glanbia and their personal friendship.

“I would like to wish Hugh well as he takes the helm in 2024 and I look forward to working with him on the leadership transition over the coming months.”

Hugh McGuire said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed as the next CEO of Glanbia, an organisation I have been proud to serve over the last 20 years. It is a business and a sector that is closely aligned to my own passions and values and I’ve been privileged to be part of its transformation journey.”