About the Team

The foundation of the Food Works team is the depth of knowledge, support and expertise within the three agencies, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc. A strong stakeholder group of industry experts, business advisors and ambassadors from all areas of Ireland’s food and drinks sector lend their support to the dynamic, innovative entrepreneurs entering the industry. A programme facilitator and administrator work closely with the agencies to deliver a cohesive programme and to optimise all the resources and expertise available.

Food Works Team:
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    Ciara McDonagh
    Ciara McDonagh, Teagasc

    Ciara McDonagh is Head of Food Industry Development in Teagasc. She has over 16 years’ experience delivering consultancy and technical services to Irish food businesses. Leading a team of accomplished scientists and technologists, Ciara works with companies of all sizes across the Irish food sector. She supports product and process innovation and assists them in meeting evolving consumer demands and expectations.

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    Darina Mulligan
    Darina Mulligan, Food Works

    Darina Mulligan is the Food Works Programme Facilitator. Darina is a leadership and entrepreneurship coach with over 20 years’ experience designing and facilitating programmes in Ireland and the UK. She is passionate about Food Works and her role in fast-tracking the development, growth and success of Irish food and drink start-ups.

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    Gary Osborne
    Gary Osborne, Bord Bia

    Gary Osborne is an Insight and Brand Planning Specialist at Bord Bia’s Thinking House. He works with companies of all sizes and provides consumer, channel and market insights. These insights help companies better understand the challenges of their sector, develop strategies to cope with these and make the most of relevant opportunities. He graduated from DCU with a BA in International Marketing and a Master’s in Marketing.

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    Dervla McCabe, Enterprise Ireland
    Dervla McCabe, Enterprise Ireland

    Dervla McCabe is a Development Advisor in Enterprise Ireland. Dervla works closely with an exciting portfolio of Food & Beverage HPSUs and helps them harness valuable opportunities. She also provides access to financial and other development supports. Dervla graduated with a Bachelor in Business Studies from DCU with a specialism in Marketing.  

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    Carol Griffin, Teagasc
    Carol Griffin, Teagasc

    Carol Griffin works in Food Industry Development in Teagasc. Carol coordinates the Food Industry Development Training Programme and contributes to the development and delivery of a wide range of food industry training courses. She has over 20 years’ experience supporting food businesses of all sizes. She provides consultancy and advice in the areas of sensory analysis, product development, innovation, food safety, labelling and food business technical process development.  

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    Pam Nolan, Food Works Ireland
    Pam Nolan, Food Works

    Pam Nolan is the Food Works Admin Guru. Her incredible organisational skills ensure the programme runs seamlessly. Pam is always available to answer any questions that might arise throughout the duration of the programme.

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    Bord Bia 10 years of Food Works
    Niall Coulston, Enterprise Ireland

    Niall leads Enterprise Ireland’s Food and Drink High Potential Start-Up Department which focuses on the development of, and investment in, emerging food and drink companies with the potential to scale internationally. Prior to this role, Niall worked in Enterprise Ireland’s investment services department providing commercial, equity and legal guidance on 250+ multisectoral investments (seed and series A).

Food Works taps in to an extensive panel of Business Advisors - meet some of our regulars:
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    Joanna Walker
    Joanna Walker

    Joanna is a food-retail expert who has worked in the buying, product development and marketing functions in a host of major retailers including Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Netto UK. She has managed food categories worth over £400m in turnover and developed category plans for award-winning private label products.

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    Eamonn Rice

    Eamonn is an experienced business manager with more than 28 years’ experience in the food industry. For the last ten years, he has provided consultancy services to Irish food entrepreneurs. His coaching and mentoring expertise is focused on management, sales & marketing and strategic planning.

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    Moira Creedon
    Moira Creedon

    Moira has over four decades’ experience working with the Irish food industry. She has built lucrative export markets in Spain, Germany and Benelux. She also built a career in global banking and spent time working in SME development with the EU and World Bank. Moira now works intensively with small Irish food producers and is affiliated to Food Works, Food Academy, Ascent Programme and Cheese Academy.

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    Gavin Sherry
    Gavin Sherry

    Gavin Sherry is a food professional with 30 years’ experience in disciplines including R&D, Lean Manufacturing, Cost Reduction, Upscaling, Technical, Purchasing, Negotiation, Supplier Management and Training and Development. He has a track record of bringing his detailed understanding and intrepid and innovative approach to bear on complex and challenging projects.

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    Jacquie Marsh
    Jacquie Marsh

    Jacquie Marsh is formally co-owner, Chairman and CEO of The Butler’s Pantry award winning fresh food producer and retailer which she exited from in 2018. At that time the company had 10 shops, purpose built production facility, distribution network and event management business. Jacquie continues her business interests primarily in Food, Retail, Leisure, Health & Wellness and Hospitality. She is a strategic advisor to high potential Start Ups and as a board member has experience in the private, not for profit and public sectors.

How to Apply

Take the first step

How do I apply?

Food Works is open to early stage Irish food and drink businesses. It is a competitive application process with one intake each year. The first step in the process is to submit an application form.

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