New AFBI Chairman appointed

Mr Colm McKenna has recently been appointed as the new Chair of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) by the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA.

Confirming the new appointment, the Minister said: "Mr McKenna has experience of dealing with significant financial management and governance challenges in the public sector. He worked closely with the Agri-Food Sector during his time in the banking industry and brings his private sector and professional finance experience to the AFBI Chair position. He arrives at a time of significant change for AFBI, as the organisation faces a range of strategic challenges over the medium term. I wish him well in his important leadership role.”

Mr McKenna enjoyed a long and successful career in Financial Services with Bank of Ireland Group, taking early retirement in October 2008.  His final position was Head of Marketing Services, UK, but he previously held the positions of Head of Group Marketing, NI, and Head of Treasury and International Banking.

Mr McKenna was previously Deputy Chair of Investment Belfast (Belfast City Council) and Chair of the NI Euro Preparations Forum (DETI). He is a Business Administration Graduate from Manchester Business School.
Mr McKenna is Chairman of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Chairman of Northern Ireland Confederation for Health and Social Care (NICON), Chairman of BBC NI Appeals Advisory Committee, Chairman of the NI Assembly Secretariat Audit and Risk Committee, a non-executive director and chair the Audit Committee at ILEX Urban Regeneration, a non-executive director of the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service, Chairman of Club Aontroma, a registered charity responsible for fundraising to assist Antrim GAA.  

Colm lives in Glenavy, Co Antrim with his wife Giuseppa and they have two grown up children and four grand-daughters.

Notes to editors: 

AFBI carries out high quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies. 

AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland …  serving the world”.

All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office 

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