Bord Bia appoints new regional manager for Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Irish food and drink exports to this region were valued at €2.6 billion in 2024
Print22 May 2025
Bord Bia has appointed Fiona O’Shaughnessy as the regional manager for Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
In her role as part of Bord Bia’s Global Business Development team, O’Shaughnessy will implement Bord Bia’s market diversification strategy in these regions, aiming to drive the commercial success of the Irish food and drink industry, Bord Bia noted.
Based in Bord Bia’s Global Hub in Dublin, O’Shaughnessy will oversee a regional team in Bord Bia offices across China, Japan, Nigeria, Singapore and UAE focusing on developing effective activity plans that enhance international customer engagement and create opportunities for business conversion.
Speaking on O’Shaughnessy’s appointment, Shane Hamill, global business development director, Bord Bia, said: “With over 15 years’ experience in the industry, Fiona [O’Shaughnessy] brings extensive strategic and operational expertise to her new role.
“We are thrilled that she will be leading our international teams in the promotion of Ireland’s sustainably produced food and drink to customers globally.”
Wealth of experience
O’Shaughnessy has been with Bord Bia since 2018.
Most recently, O’Shaughnessy served as the business development manager for consumer foods, which was worth €3.3 billion in 2024.
Before joining Bord Bia, O’Shaughnessy held various technical and commercial roles in consumer foods, meat and horticulture and graduated from Bord Bia’s Marketing Fellowship programme in 2011.
Speaking on her promotion, O’Shaughnessy, said: “I look forward to working with the Global Business Development team in Bord Bia, building on my experience with the prepared consumer foods team, to elevate the brand of food and drink from Ireland in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The upcoming government-led trade mission to South Korea and Japan in June serves as an opportunity for me to deepen relationships with clients in the region and to support the growth of Irish exports in these markets.”
Predecessor’s appointment
Her predecessor, Ciarán Gallagher, was recently appointed as regional manager for Europe and North America, also based in Dublin.
Originally from Tipperary and currently living in Westmeath, Fiona holds an MSc in Marketing Practice from University College Dublin Smurfit and a BSc in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork.
Read more: Bord Bia launches programme to boost Irish food and drink exports
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