Dr Keith Agnew was recently appointed to the AgriSearch Board of Trustees
Dr. Agnew brings a wealth of scientific expertise and leadership experience. At Queen’s University he completed a PhD in Animal Nutrition and Production. Throughout his career, he has held prominent roles, including Managing Director of Dale Farm’s Agri Division. A former President of the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA), he remains a key figure in agricultural policy and innovation. In addition to his role at AgriSearch he was recently appointed as Chief Executive of Food Fortress Ltd, where he oversees one of the world's most advanced food safety and contaminant monitoring programmes, ensuring the integrity of millions of tonnes of animal feed, and he also leads advancements in feed efficiency and carbon reduction as a director at Fermentrics (UK) Ltd.
Cormac McKervey was recently appointed to the AgriSearch Board of Trustees
Cormac McKervey is Head of Agriculture for Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland, where he has led the bank’s agri‑sector strategy for more than two decades. A well‑known figure in the agri‑food sector, Cormac draws on a diverse background, including experience as a college lecturer and farm advisor at CAFRE and he continues to run a small suckler enterprise on the Fermanagh–Tyrone border. Cormac is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, holding qualifications in agriculture, communication and a Master’s in Business for Agri‑Food and Rural Enterprise. He was awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2001 to study “Strategic priorities for UK beef”.
AgriSearch Chairman Professor Gerry Boyle said, “I would like to warmly welcome Keith and Cormac to the Board of Trustees and look forward to working with them. The Northern Ireland ruminant livestock sector is facing a time of unprecedented challenges and AgriSearch is privileged to have secured the services of two such well qualified and experienced Trustees who will be invaluable in helping AgriSearch adapt to continue to meet the needs of the sector.
“I would also like to thank Seamus McCaffrey who stood down from the Board at the AGM for the invaluable contribution he made to the Board over the past nine years, including serving as Chair for three years”.