Over the past two years Mike Gallacher has led a transformation of First Milk, focusing on its core business in cheese and liquid contracts and divesting a number of loss making subsidiaries.
His successor Shelagh Hancock has over 25 years’ experience in the food and agricultural supply sectors. Most recently she held the roles of Managing Director and Business Development Director at Medina Dairy where she led the development of strategic relationships and business growth with major retailers.
NFU dairy board chairman Michael Oakes said: “The NFU has worked with Mike Gallacher during his time at the helm of First Milk. Whilst their members have been through an incredibly tough time as the dairy co-operative focused and restructured, they are in a far stronger place now - First Milk must ensure that this doesn’t falter with the change in management.
“To that end, we look forward to developing a good relationship with Mike’s replacement, Shelagh Hancock, and will look to arrange a meeting with her at the earliest opportunity to discuss her plans for the future.”