Henry Corbally’s removal as chair by his fellow Glanbia co-op board members raised eyebrows, but it’s less a statement about Corbally’s tenure than Keane’s ambition and the perpetual politics on any co-op board.

Some have remarked that it follows in the tradition of Meathmen in national farming positions being unseated. That’s a little unkind – chalk this one down to the age rather than geography.

Glanbia board members must step down on reaching 65.

While Corbally is 63, Keane is only a year younger. The only way he was likely to become chair was by opposing Corbally’s re-election – he couldn’t afford to wait for Henry’s term to end.

The market has not been upset by this sudden and unsignalled decision. The share price has inclined upwards days since Keane’s election and is, at the time of writing, €16.19, up about 5% up since 1 June.

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