Suffolk Sheep Society announces new Chief Executive

“I’m delighted to be joining a Society with such a rich history,” said Mr McIlrath.

With agriculture in his family, Mr McIlrath from Ballymena, Co Antrim, has a background well suited to the role. He has planned, organised and executed a wide range of events for the lamb and beef sector including trade missions with Sweden, Denmark and Russia. He has represented the red meat industry at major events throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe, not least Anuga FoodTec, the leading global trade fair held in Germany. Having been Economist with the Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland, he is fully aware of the financial and economic challenges facing the industry at both macro and micro level. Mr McIlrath is also no stranger to working with volunteers and committees, as Membership Director with a leading national charity; he successfully developed a support base for an organisation that relies heavily on its volunteer members.