I see Ann Derwin, former chief economist at the Department of Agriculture and assistant secretary general of the Department of Foreign Affairs, is headed for pastures new.

She has been nominated to replace Eoin O’Leary as Ireland’s next ambassador to China. The Sligo native and her husband, Joe O’Flaherty, the former boss of Animal Health Ireland, will be moving to Beijing.

Derwin, who is extremely well-regarded in Kildare Street, previously served as agriculture attaché in Spain. The former vet was the first woman appointed to the Department of Agriculture’s management board and sits on the Foreign Affairs management board in her role as director general of the Global Irish Services Division.