Origin Enterprises plc
Directorate Changes
Aidan Connolly appointed as an independent Non-Executive Director
Hugh McCutcheon and Kate Allum to retire at the 2021 AGM
20 August 2021
Origin Enterprises plc ('Origin' or 'the Group'), the international Agri-Services Group, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Aidan Connolly as an independent Non-Executive Director, with effect from 1 October 2021. Origin also announces that Non-Executive Directors, Hugh McCutcheon and Kate Allum, will retire from the Board following the Group's Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 25 November 2021.
New Independent Director
Aidan Connolly (54) has 30 years' experience in the agribusiness sector across a range of roles and countries worldwide. He is President of AgriTech Capital, a U.S. based strategy and investment firm which supports innovation and technology in the agribusiness sector. Aidan is also CEO of Irish agtech start-up, Cainthus, a company specialising in monitoring key farm management practices that impact nutrition, health and the behaviour of livestock through the use of computer vision and artificial intelligence. Prior to this, Aidan held multiple senior leadership positions at global animal health company, Alltech, over a period of more than 25 years, initially in Ireland and later in France, Brazil and the U.S. Most recently as Chief Innovation Officer, Aidan was responsible for the commercialisation of Alltech's global research, in addition to delivering the company's corporate account strategy.
Aidan is an adjunct professor of marketing at the Smurfit School of Business, University College Dublin and a visiting professor of agribusiness at the China Agriculture University in Beijing. He speaks at conferences around the world on the future of food, agriculture and agri-technologies, is a member of various international industry federations and is a regular contributor to a range of publications on agriculture, food production, agtech and agribusiness.
Retiring Directors
Non-Executive Directors Hugh McCutcheon and Kate Allum will retire from the Board at the conclusion of the company's next Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 25 November 2021. Having been appointed Non-Executive Director in 2011, Hugh has served on the Board for nearly 10 years, including holding the positions of Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at various times during his tenure. Hugh currently serves on the Acquisitions and Disposals Committee, Audit and Risk Committee and the ESG Committee. Kate has been a member of the Board since 2015 and will retire following the expiry of her second 3-year term. In addition to chairing the Remuneration Committee, Kate has most recently held the position of Board ESG sponsor and Chair of the ESG Committee. Kate was previously also a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Commenting on the changes, Rose Hynes, Chairman of Origin said:
"On behalf of the Group, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to Hugh and Kate for their significant contributions, support and commitment to Origin during their respective tenures on the Board and we wish them the best in their future endeavours.
As part of our process of Board refreshment and renewal, I am delighted to welcome Aidan to the Board. Aidan brings extensive international agribusiness experience and sectoral knowledge, including agtech expertise, which will further diversify and strengthen the range of skills and experience on Origin's Board and support the Group's continued growth and progression."
Aidan Connolly - Additional Information
Aidan Connolly holds directorships in the following companies: Cainthus Ireland Limited, Cainthus Holdings Limited, AgriTech Capital, LLC, Abhaile LLC, Labby Inc., Harpe Bioherbicide Solutions, Inc. and ag.supply GmbH.
There is no other information that is required to be disclosed in accordance with Rule 17 of the AIM Rules for Companies and Rule 5.22 (b) of Chapter 5: Additional Rules for the Euronext Growth Market operated by Euronext Dublin.
Enquiries |
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Origin Enterprises plc |
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TJ Kelly Chief Financial Officer |
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+353 (0)1 563 4959 |
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Brendan Corcoran Head of Investor Relations and Group Planning |
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+353 (0)1 563 4900 |
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Goodbody (Euronext Growth (Dublin) Adviser) Finbarr Griffin |
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+353 (0)1 641 9278 |
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Davy (Nominated Adviser) Anthony Farrell |
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+353 (0)1 614 9993 |
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Numis Securities (Stockbroker) Stuart Skinner |
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+44 (0)20 7260 1314 |
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FTI Consulting (Financial Communications Advisers) Jonathan Neilan / Patrick Berkery |
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+353 (0)1 765 0884 |
About Origin Enterprises plc
Origin Enterprises plc is an international Agri-Services group, providing specialist agronomy advice, crop inputs and digital agricultural solutions to farmers, growers and amenity professionals . The Group has leading market positions in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Poland, Romania and Ukraine. Origin is listed on the Euronext Growth (Dublin) and AIM markets of the Irish and London Stock Exchanges.
Euronext Growth (Dublin) ticker symbol: OIZ
AIM ticker symbol OGN
Website: www.originenterprises.com