Mr Eoin O'Connell holding his UL Alumni Award

Originally from Corofin, Co. Clare Ireland, Eoin O’Connell is the President and CEO of Kerry EMEA.  He also has Global executive responsibility for two of Kerry’s largest customers. 

Eoin started his career with Kerry Foods, Kerry’s Consumer Foods Division, as a Graduate Accountant from the University of Limerick following his graduation in 1986 with a Bachelor in Business Studies. He spent 4 years in Ireland before moving to the US in 1990. 

He held a number of accounting roles and a procurement role in Canada while on a 2 year assignment in the mid-90’s. In 1997, he moved to Mexico to take on the role of Operations Director for Kerry’s fledgling LATAM region. After a short while, he took on a General Management role as President of the region and subsequently held similar roles in Canada and North America in progressively larger businesses. In 2012, he returned to Ireland to take on his current role. 

Throughout his career, Eoin has developed the leadership skills and business acumen which has seen him rise to the top levels of management within the Kerry Group. In a career with significant international experience, he brings a fresh way of looking at business opportunities in the EMEA region and globally. His reputation is one of turning around businesses and setting them on a path to growth. He has done this successfully on a number of occasions in his career. 

Eoin is highly respected throughout the organisation and renowned for his practical and realistic approach to business. It’s this approach which permeates throughout his leadership team and has seen the Kerry business in EMEA achieve impressive results since his appointment. 

He has had the privilege of working with and developing a number of senior people in Kerry and is excited at the prospect of being part of the development of the graduates joining the region and facilitating the growth of their careers. 

Eoin is married to Nicole and they have two daughters, Aoife and Ayla. He is a lifelong follower of the GAA and more recently American football and rugby.  He also enjoys hiking, kayaking and golfing in his spare time.