Ireland’s Food Board, Bord Bia, has appointed Conor O’Sullivan as UK Market Manager.
With more than a decade of international experience, including his most recent role as Bord Bia’s China Market Manager, O’Sullivan will now oversee the organisation’s global business initiatives in the UK.
O’Sullivan started his career with Enterprise Ireland in Beijing before joining Bord Bia in 2016 as a Market Specialist in Shanghai. There, he helped introduce Irish beef to China and promoted Irish pig meat. In 2020, he became China Market Manager, overseeing strategy and trade development from Bord Bia’s Shanghai office.
O’Sullivan said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Bord Bia team in London at such a critical time for Irish food and drink exports. Over the last decade, it’s been immensely rewarding to play a part in the growth of Ireland’s incredible food and drink industry in Asia. I’m excited to continue doing so in Ireland’s largest export market.
“The UK and Irish food and drink industries share an unparalleled level of interconnectivity. I look forward to supporting even closer collaboration with our retail, foodservice, manufacturing, and wholesale partners across the UK, leveraging Ireland’s expertise and to drive progress in key areas such as sustainability, supply chain resilience, nutrition and innovation.”
The UK continues to be Ireland’s largest market for food and drink exports, representing more than 30% of total exports and valued at £5.1 billion in 2024—an increase of 9% on the previous year.
Shane Hamill, director of global business development at Bord Bia, said that O’Sullivan has shown “exceptional leadership and strategic insight” while working in China and helped keep Bord Bia “relevant and impactful” in the Asian market.
He added: “In the UK, Conor will safeguard Ireland’s global reputation and competitive advantage as a producer of quality sustainable food, utilising our pioneering food and drink sustainability programme - Origin Green. I’m confident that his experience and energy will bring fresh momentum to our work in the region.”