Speaking at the Agri Careers Fair organised by the Irish Farmers Journal and open eir in the RDS on 3 March, Finbarr McDonnell told the audience that he started his career working in Larry Goodman’s very first factory in Ravensdale, Co Louth at the young age of 15.

Having been appointed chief executive of ABP Beef Ireland in January 2008, what started as a summer job all those years ago has turned into a lifelong successful career for Finbarr, who is also CEO of ABP Poland.

Finbarr said that, in the last 10 years, the meat processing industry has come on “leaps and bounds”, with factories becoming more automated and jobs getting easier.

ABP employs 9,000 people across 37 sites, and is the second biggest beef processor in Europe. “There’s far more potential these days for young people to get on in the industry and get a good career out of it. ABP is an expanding business that continues to grow, and young people are the key to our business,” he said.

Giving advice to young people, Finbar says: “You have to work hard – that is the most important thing. Be honest and be progressive, because I was. I wanted the good job and I wanted the money,” he said.

Finbarr also adds that everyone has talent; the trick is to identify it. “Keep working hard and you will make it.”

Finbarr’s factory in Clones, Co Monaghan, is the biggest employer in the town and employees 280 people directly. He wishes “people would give the beef industry a chance because it can be for everybody”.

When looking for new candidates, Finbar says flexibility is “necessary”, and ABP “insists” that employees must travel.

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Full coverage: Agri Careers Fair