Tirlán announces retirement of Frank Tobin, Chief Investment and Strategy Officer and Executive Director
The Board of Tirlán Co-operative Society Limited (“Tirlán”) announces that Frank Tobin, Chief Investment and Strategy Officer and Executive Director, has informed the Board of his intention to retire at the end of November 2025, following a distinguished career spanning over four decades in Irish dairy and agribusiness within both Plc and Co-operative company environments.
Frank has played a pivotal role in shaping the financial and strategic direction of the organisation, most recently leading the development of Tirlán’s investment function to support mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. His deep understanding of the cooperative model and his commitment to long-term value creation have left a lasting legacy.
Frank joined Glanbia in 1980 and held senior finance roles across Ingredients, Agribusiness, Meats (UK and Ireland), and Consumer Foods. After completing his MBA, he became Chief Operations Officer for Glanbia’s Consumer Business in 2013. He was instrumental in the formation of Glanbia Ireland in 2017, where he served as Executive Director & Chief Financial Officer, and later transitioned to Chief Investment Officer in 2022, following the establishment of Tirlán.
He has represented the organisation on numerous industry boards, including the National Milk Agency, National Dairy Council, National Dairy Association, and the Malting Company of Ireland, and served as an Executive Director on the Boards of Glanbia Ireland and Tirlán Co-operative.
In late 2024, Tirlán shareholders voted overwhelmingly to mandate the Co-op to actively manage its full investment in Glanbia plc, a strategic milestone that Frank’s leadership helped prepare and guide. This vote reaffirmed the importance of investment as a core strategic priority, and the organisation remains committed to ensuring continuity in this area.
A formal recruitment process has been initiated to appoint Frank’s successor who will build on his legacy and continue driving forward the cooperative’s growth and innovation agenda
John Murphy, Chairperson of Tirlán, expressed his appreciation: “Frank has made an exceptional contribution to our organisation and to Irish agriculture. His strategic insight and financial leadership have helped position Tirlán for long-term success. On behalf of the Board, our farm families, and our employees, I extend our sincere thanks and wish him every happiness in his retirement.”
Frank Tobin said: “It has been a privilege to serve our members and work alongside such a dedicated team. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and confident in the future direction of Tirlán. I look forward to supporting a smooth transition over the coming months. As I step back from executive responsibilities, I look forward to applying my experience in new and meaningful ways in the future.”
Seán Molloy, CEO of Tirlán, added: “Frank’s legacy at Tirlán is one of vision, integrity, and impact. His stewardship of our investment and strategy functions has been instrumental in driving growth and innovation. Frank’s ability to navigate complex financial and operational challenges, while always keeping our members’ interests at heart, has set a standard for leadership in our sector. We wish him every success and happiness in his retirement.”