The Dealer understands that moves are afoot at a senior level in meat processor Kepak. The company is expected to announce a new boss in the coming days.

It is also understood that the new man is coming from Kerry Foods to take up the top role.

Kepak, owned by the Keating family, processes 275,000 cattle, 600,000 sheep and 350,000 pigs across its abattoirs in Ireland.

Successful

Over recent years, it has developed a successful value added consumer branded business. A Kerry Foods background in this area would seem beneficial.

Kepak employs 3,000 people across its sites and recently acquired the red meat division of UK processor 2 Sisters Food Group for an undisclosed sum. John Horgan is the current managing director and took up the role 27 years ago.