Over 30 years experience in a variety of agricultural/information technology positions at home and abroad. Joined SWS in 1996 as Administrator for the LEADER programme in West Cork, which awards EU funds to rural development projects.
Followed this 1999-2000 as Co-ordinator of a local beef quality assurance scheme in partnership with Teagasc to market beef as part of a regional branding initiative under the “Fuchsia” label, involving Food Assurance audits.
From 2000-2006 spent managing the Milk Recording Dept. day to day on-farm recording activities, involving 100 contractor recorders, lab analysis and throughput, processing and issuing reports to farmers. Implementation of on-line database services in association with ICBF.
2013-2015 Service Delivery Manager for Failte Ireland contract. New contract for Capita in 2013. Managing the Registration, Assessment, and Renewal process of accommodation premises as FI “approved”. Area of operations covered the 26 counties, and a team of 11 assessors visited a wide variety of locations such as hotels, B&Bs, self-catering houses, campsites, guesthouses. A new standard for alternative accommodation such as pods, glamping, castles, and so forth was devised and applications invited in 2014. Other activities which were approved were Spas, Golf courses, Equestrian Centres, Tour coach operators.
2006-2012 and 2015-present, day to day responsibility as Service Delivery Manager Bord Bia contract. Overseeing theimplementation and monitoring of quality standards with respect to both the office/administration and the field services requirements for client. Achieved INAB accreditation as an “Independent Audit Body” in 2007, and undergo regular 3rd party audits to maintain or extend this accreditation. Managing operations includesrunning of the office and staff of 12 people including the team of reviewers, training of staff, producing invoices and overseeing auditor payments, work scheduling, setting and reviewing targets, attending project team meetings with clients, making presentations to prospective clients.
Presentation Title: “Providing Assurance to the Food Industry & Consumer at Farm Level”
The talk will cover why Irish primary producers need Quality Assurance schemes, where we in Capita fit in, the requirements of the Bord Bia inspection, intro of new Sustainable Beef & Lamb Standard in 2017.
