Martin Keane of Glanbia has been elected as president designate of ICOS, the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society. Michael Spellman is the new vice-president designate. Keane will succeed Bertie O’Leary of Dairygold, who has been president of ICOS since 2012.

Martin Keane is the vice-chairman of Glanbia Co-operative Society, the vice-chairman of Glanbia plc and a director of GIIL (Glanbia Ingredients Ireland Ltd.). He farms in Errill, Portlaoise, Co Laois, and is the favourite to succeed Liam Herlihy as Glanbia plc chair in 2015.

From Kilteevan, Co Roscommon, Michael Spellman is currently in his second term as chairman of the National Marts Committee of ICOS. ICOS represents co-operatives and organisations in Ireland – including the Irish dairy processing co-operatives and livestock marts.

Meanwhile, James Lynch from Co Clare is the hot favourite to succeed Bertie O’Leary as Dairygold co-op chairman. The election takes place at the next meeting of the board of Ireland’s largest co-op. O’Leary has to step down after serving the maximum 10 years on the board.

There are three contenders from the mid-Cork region for Bertie O’Leary’s seat on the board: Brendan Hinchion (Kilnamartyra), Sean McSweeney (Macroom) and Gerald O’Connell (Carrigaline).

Bertie O’Leary also confirmed that he will step down from the Irish Dairy Board at year end, to allow his replacement at Dairygold to assume the position.

He admitted that after 10 years on the Dairygold board, he will miss it.

“The phone will be quiet,” he said.

He expressed disappointment that there was not more consolidation achieved during his tenure.

“We met with most of our neighbours, but to be honest, the talks went nowhere,” he said.

He remains on the Dairygold committee after 23 years of involvement and the rare record of having never lost an election. Asked what he will be doing next year, Bertie O’Leary said: “I will be milking 60 cows in Ballyvourney.”