Michael Bell OBE
Executive Director
Michael has over thirty-two years’ experience in the food industry. Prior to joining NIFDA he worked in the bakery trade in Northern Ireland and Malta for twelve years. During this period he worked closely with major retailers and obtained a place on the senior management board of Ormeau Bakery. Michael holds a Food Science (Hons) degree from The Queen’s University of Belfast. He is also a Chartered Scientist and a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology. He holds a Diploma in Company Director from the Institute of Directors. He has been instrumental in the development of NIFDA since its foundation in 1996.
Dr. Anna Monaghan
Business Development Executive
Dr Anna Monaghan joined NIFDA as Business Development Executive in January 2025. She holds a First-Class Honours degree in Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition from Queen’s University Belfast and completed a Doctorate at Ulster University in 2021, focusing on maternal nutrition and neurodevelopment. From 2021 to 2024, Anna was STEM Network Lead for NI, supporting food companies and engaging young people in food sector careers. Her experience spans roles at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in London and in the hospitality sector in the USA. She is actively involved with IFST, currently serving as Secretary for the NI committee.
Harry Hamilton
Project Manager
Harry has over 35 years’ experience in the food and drink industry, specialising in business development. He has worked with some of Northern Ireland’s leading food companies, including Moy Park, Dale Farm and Irwin’s Bakery. At NIFDA, he managed the Access 6 programme, supporting 30 local companies to grow export sales across Europe and the USA. Since 2013, he has led EU projects focused on food exports, healthy food development, and sustainability. He has also worked with Invest Northern Ireland to deliver the Harvesting Tomorrow’s Skills network, addressing skills gaps and sector attractiveness. He currently leads NIFDA's FEED Network, linking education with the food and drink industry.
Our Board
Governance – The NIFDA board meets four to five times a year. A chair is appointed by the board for a period of two years. We have a chair, a vice chair and an executive director.
Professor Ursula Lavery MBE
NIFDA Chair
Technical and R&D Director at Pilgrim’s Europe, Ursula joined Moy Park in 1987 after graduating in Food Science from Queen’s University Belfast. She leads a Europe-wide technical team and is a recognised authority in food safety and poultry research. Ursula sits on several advisory boards, chairs NIFDA, and holds non-executive roles across the agri-food sector. Her leadership has earned multiple awards, including an MBE in 2023. She is an honorary Professor of Practice at Queen’s and is passionate about sustainability and biodiversity having volunteered in Tanzania with Farm Africa’s Big Beehive Build.
George Mullan
NIFDA Vice Chair (outgoing)
Managing Director at ABP Food Group, George studied Business Studies at the University of Ulster before joining ABP in 1986. With 30 years of experience, George has managed facilities in Longford, Ravensdale, Clones, Cahir, and Waterford. He played a key role in ABP’s entry into the Polish beef processing sector. In 2016, George became Managing Director of ABP NI, which operates two processing facilities in Lurgan and Newry, processing 2,500 cattle and 3,000 sheep weekly, employing over 650 people. ABP NI serves leading retailers in NI and Britain and has partnered with Fane Valley in a joint venture of Linden Foods.
Simon Fitzpatrick
NIFDA Vice Chair
Group Commercial Director at Coca-Cola HBC, Simon began his career with the company in 2002 after graduating in Business from the University of Ulster. He progressed through key roles in Field Sales and Key Account Management, serving as Customer Director from 2014 to 2018. After a year as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Irish Football Association, he returned to Coca-Cola HBC in 2019 to lead Revenue Growth Management. Appointed Commercial Director in 2020, Simon now leads a 330-strong team, driving sustainable growth in one of the world's largest bottlers. He joined the board of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) in 2023.
Peter Henry
NIFDA Honorary Treasurer
Managing Director of Allied Bakeries Ltd, Peter holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc in Engineering and Manufacturing Management. He leads operations in Ireland, overseeing the production and sale of bread products under the Kingsmill, Sunblest, Burgen, and Allison brands. Peter began his career as a graduate engineer with Peugeot in Coventry, working across quality, technical, service, production, and HR roles. He later held positions including Production Manager at Michelin Tyres and General Manager at Neill’s Flour. With extensive experience in engineering and manufacturing, Peter brings strong leadership to Ireland’s bakery and food production sector.
Michael Bell OBE
NIFDA Executive Director
Executive Director of NIFDA, Michael has nearly four decades of experience in the food and drink industry. A Food Science graduate from Queen’s University Belfast, he is a Chartered Scientist, Chartered Director, and Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology. He has studied at McGill, St Joseph’s, Cornell, and Cranfield universities. Michael spent 12 years in the bakery trade in Northern Ireland and Malta, including a senior role at Ormeau Bakery. He has led key initiatives such as the NI Food Chain Certification and Taste of Ulster, and currently sits on the Agri-Quest board.
Gordon Donaldson
NIFDA Board Member
CEO of John Thompson and Sons, Gordon Donaldson, leads the largest multispecies animal feed mill in Europe and the top feed manufacturer in Northern Ireland. With a degree in Agricultural Science, a Masters from Queen’s University Belfast, and an MBA from the University of Ulster, Gordon has spent his entire career in the animal feed industry. He joined Thompsons 25 years ago, worked with Lallemand Animal Nutrition in the U.S., and returned in 2007 as Sales Director. Founded in 1870, Thompsons combines over 150 years of experience with innovation to create sustainable solutions for agriculture.
Nick Whelan
NIFDA Board Member
Group Chief Executive at Dale Farm, Nick Whelan leads the UK’s largest farmer-owned cooperative, which employs 1,250 people across 8 sites. Dale Farm supplies a wide range of products to global markets, including retail, foodservice, ingredients, and sports nutrition. Nick is a member of the UK Food and Drink Sector Council, Chair of the CBI Northern Ireland’s Innovation Forum, and serves on the boards of Dairy UK and Dairy UK Northern Ireland. Before joining Dale Farm, Nick was Commercial Director at Glanbia and held senior roles at Kerry Group. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University College Cork and has extensive experience in the dairy and food sectors.
Tracy Hamilton MBE
NIFDA Board Member
Award-winning entrepreneur Tracy Hamilton MBE is a founding Director at Mash Direct, a pioneering brand producing a range of award-winning ‘field to fork’ vegetable accompaniments. Combining six generations of Hamilton family farming expertise, Mash Direct has grown into a household name in the UK and Ireland. Tracy, with a background in Business Studies from the University of Ulster, has been integral in the brand’s expansion and marketing strategy. In 2020, Tracy was awarded an MBE for her dedication to developing food and drink companies in Northern Ireland and promoting diversity in the agri-food sector. Tracy has also served on several boards and committees.
Brian Irwin
NIFDA Board Member
Chairman Irwin’s Bakery (W D Irwin & Sons), Brian leads the company, established in 1912 and based in Portadown. The bakery now employs a team of 400 and bakes a wide range of all breads for NI and ROI supplying all major stores and supermarkets. Also known in GB for its range of Irish breads and its Howell House range of cakes and buns. They are available in all the multiple stores. “Keeping the customer to the forefront and being prepared to adapt and change has been key to our growth, as well as capitalising on the attractive provenance of the traditional products that we bake.”
Arthur Richmond
NIFDA Board Member
Group Chief Executive Officer, SHS Group, Arthur is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Grant Thornton. He has held various senior roles within the Group and is responsible for the business’ strategic direction. Founded in 1975, the SHS Group operates in the fast-moving consumer goods sector in the UK and Ireland. The Group owns WKD, Shloer, bottlegreen, Rocks, Meridian nut butters, Zip firelighters and distributes other major brands on behalf of national and international brand owners. SHS Group is also the largest supplier of own label Herbs & Spices and Condiments in Great Britain.
Tony Demaine
NIFDA Board Member
Site Director at Cranswick, Tony oversees the primary processing of pork and pig farming in Northern Ireland. With a career in meat processing, Tony has held senior roles at Karro, Tulip, George Weston Foods (ABF), and Grampian Country Foods in England, Australia, and Northern Ireland. Since Cranswick’s purchase of the Ballymena site in 2016, Tony has helped double the company’s turnover in Northern Ireland from £70 million to £150 million annually, employing nearly 500 people. Passionate about sustainability, he also serves on the NIFDA Board, as vice chair of the Pork and Bacon Forum, and is a member of the Institute of Meat.