Farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional services firm Ifac has named dairy farmer Michael Kennedy from Co Tipperary as its new chairman.
For the next two years, the dairy farmer will chair the firm that specialises in tax advisory, accountancy, pension planning, succession planning, and a wide range of other financial services to help its clients build profitable and sustainable businesses.
Mr Kennedy succeeds Kerry farmer Brendan Lawlor, who has served as chairperson of ifac since 2021, overseeing a period of significant growth and expansion for the firm.
Mr Kennedy is a member of the Teagasc Discussion Group and serves on the IFA National Dairy Committee. He also previously served as a director of Arrabawn Co-op, Central Auctions Co-op, Farmer Business Developments plc and Ripplecom plc.
He is a past member of the IFA National Farm Business Committee and Macra na Feirme, and in 1996, he chaired the organising committee for the All-Ireland Sheep Shearing Championships.
Michael Kennedy said that Ifac was founded to serve farmers and regional businesses, and that mission is as relevant today as it was in 1975.
“The landscape for our clients is changing; whether that’s the pressures on farm incomes, the demands of succession planning, or the opportunities that come with a more diversified regional economy,” he said.
“As Chair, I look forward to working with the Board, leadership team and colleagues across the country to build on that legacy, support the firm’s continued growth, and ensure ifac remains a trusted partner to farming, food, agribusiness and family businesses throughout Ireland,” he added.
Meanwhile, Co Sligo-based David McDonagh has been named as vice-chair of ifac. The suckler-to-beef and sheep farmer has been a member of the ifac board since 2015.