Farming is well and truly in Pat Murphy’s blood. The third generation farmer is very positive about the future for his new term as Vice Chairman at Glanbia Ireland. He is confident that the business is adapting well to environmental and sustainable dairy production challenges, while remaining true to its Co-Op ethos of delivering for farmers, shareholders, employees and rural Ireland.

Pat runs his dairy farm in Smithstown, Co. Kilkenny and works with his wife Sarah and son Paul. The long-serving, respected board member is a very hard-working farmer and devoted family man and takes his role as Vice Chairman and Board member at Glanbia just as seriously.
“It comes with huge responsibility,” he admitted. “The person you support most is the Chairman as we navigate our way through Co-op and business decisions on behalf of our farmer members. I greatly appreciate the support of my fellow Vice-Chairman Brendan Hayes and Board colleagues in the role.”

Setting the monthly milk price is an important role for both the business and farmers, said Pat. “It’s the biggest cost we have as a business and is the most important decision to farmer milk suppliers. We have a responsibility to fix a price that is fair to the farmer, but also fair to the organisation. Getting that balance right is one of the biggest challenges.”

Environment & Sustainability
As Vice Chairman, Pat’s ambition is to leave the company in a better place than when he started. Environmental sustainability has become a major area of focus at Glanbia Ireland. “It’s become something that we can’t just be aspirational about. In addition, I think it’s important to say that our high-performance employees are testament to the success of the organisation. It is also important to me that employees are content in their roles.”

Pat attributes his ability to successfully run the farm and manage his responsibilities at Glanbia Ireland to the support he gets from his family.“My wife Sarah and family are very understanding and supportive of my Glanbia role. Overall, juggling the three priorities has worked reasonably well for me with a little bit of organising and planning of resources.”

And just how does Pat unwind, on the rare occasion he actually gets to do that? Pat revealed: “During the long summer evenings I get out on my mountain bike for 6-7 miles spins. I absolutely love the time away from everything. I also do a bit of walking and have a keen interest in both GAA and national hunt horse racing. In holiday time I love to island hop on the west coast of Ireland – they are special places where I find it easy to switch off.”

The Co-op ethos
Despite the Co-op owning only 60% of the Glanbia Ireland organisation, Pat works under the premise that it operates 100% under a Co-op ethos. “Farmers, shareholders and employees can help deliver on the Co-op ethos by developing an understanding of the role each of these groups play in delivering success for the Glanbia Ireland organisation.”

The future at Glanbia Ireland is bright, says Pat. “Within the next 10 years I believe Glanbia Ireland will have successfully adapted to the challenges of environmental and sustainable dairy production. We will be a thriving co-op focused organisation, delivering for farmers, shareholders and employees.”