Our People

TJ Flanagan has been the CEO of ICOS since 2016. He first joined ICOS in 2000, having worked as an agronomist for Ireland’s largest oat milling company. He worked in a number of roles in ICOS prior to becoming CEO, including Member Development and Training, Rural Development and Forestry, Livestock Marts, Animal Health and Welfare, and Dairy Policy. He is currently a Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the National Milk Agency. He is a graduate of Agricultural Science, with a Professional Diploma in Corporate Governance from University College Dublin.

In his spare time he likes to watch rugby, spend time boating, and is a keen amateur cider maker.

t.flanagan@icos.ie
+353 87 9471526

Since 2012, I have been responsible for all the finances for ICOS and the related entities. My other responsibilities include Payroll/HR, involvement with lobbying the Department in relation to tax/accountancy matters, IPS legislation review and other consultation work. I worked in practice for 10 years gaining vast experience in auditing, accounts and taxation. I am a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, an Associate of the Institute of Taxation and an associate of IPASS. I have a Diploma in International Financial Reporting Standards.

sfarrell@icos.ie
+353 85 8722998

James is our Legal Counsel and Governance Executive and joined ICOS in 2016. He helps co-operatives to design and maintain structures that meet service user needs and comply with law. That includes rule changes, share management, member relations and board governance and providing critical assistance on the largest dairy co-operative amalgamations in recent years. James plays a leading role on legislation. On the modernisation of co-operative legislation and on the regulatory framework around sustainable ESG, he works with stakeholders to ensure that the interests and features of the co-operative model are supported and strengthened. James is a solicitor, qualified in both Ireland (2009) and in England and Wales (2010) and holds an honours degree in Business and Law from University College Dublin (2005).

james.doyle@icos.ie
+353 85 7202974

Ray has worked with ICOS since 2007 and transitioned into his role as Director of Livestock and Environmental Services. In this role, he enhances the profile and effective representation of the livestock marts sector at national and EU level. He is also responsible for, and has affected, numerous changes in veterinary medicines, disease control and animal welfare initiatives for all co-ops and advises on these and numerous other important issues.

Prior to assuming his position as Director of Livestock and Environmental Services, he held a number of senior positions within major Irish companies such as IAWS, Greencore, ICSA and Nitrofert.

ray.doyle@icos.ie
+353 87 2883499

Eamonn Farrell is the Agri & Food Policy Executive. He is responsible for dairy, milk quality and agricultural sustainability policy. He is the secretary of the ICOS Dairy Committee, Board Member of Dairy Research Ireland and secretary of Milk Quality Ireland. He holds a Masters in Economic Science in European and Public Affairs from UCD and a Bachelor Degree in Agricultural Science, specialising in Agribusiness and Rural Development from UCD.

eamonn.farrell@icos.ie
+353 86 0767840

Billy is the Head of Learning & Development and has overall responsibility for the L&D function, with a specific responsibility for the talent development and industry Human Capital support agenda. He has also been an integral player in the drive to raise the standards across industry. He is involved in managing and participating in various European projects, aligned with the future skills agenda and workplace competencies for the agri-food sector.

He holds several Business and Learning and Development qualifications and is a Certified Professional Behavioural Analyst, a Certified Professional Motivators Analyst, Certified Professional Competencies Analyst and a Certified Professional Emotional Quotient Analyst.

billy.goodburn@icos.ie
+353 87 1265542

Darragh is a legal executive and trainee barrister with more than 10 years of experience in various legal roles. He has been Legal and Development Executive with ICOS for 5 years and has been advising new and established co-operatives of all sizes and activities on legal and corporate governance matters. Darragh’s work focuses on the establishment of new co-operatives and advising co-operatives across the group water, farm services, animal health & genetics, renewable energy and community development sectors.

dwalshe@icos.ie
+353 86 2758132

John joined ICOS in June 2022 in the newly-created post of Bioeconomy Executive, working primarily on advancing co-operative involvement in the growing and evolving Bioeconomy. John works with co-operative members to develop new projects in this area as well as engaging with policy makers and all relevant stakeholders to promote the role of co-ops in the roll-out of bioeconomy-led projects. John hails from Castleisland Co. Kerry where he farms part-time and holds a Degree in Business Studies, a Postgraduate Diploma in Co-operative Organisation and Food Marketing, an Executive MBA and an MSc in Bioeconomy with Business.

john.brosnan@icos.ie
+353 85 8009531

Damien joined ICOS as EU Affairs and Communications Manager in November 2022. Previously, he spent 24 years as a broadcast journalist with RTE Radio 1. Before leaving the media, Damien presented Countrywide, an award winning farming, food and rural affairs programme. He also worked across other areas including news, sport and current affairs.

He is a co-founder member of the European Network of Agricultural Journalists. Damien runs our Brussels office, which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its establishment in 2023. He works on EU policy developments relevant to our members and he also presents our new fortnightly “ICOScast” which can be found here.

Although Dublin born, Damien is a keen Cavan GAA fan and a Manchester United supporter for his sins!

damien.oreilly@icos.ie
+32 487 648 680

Gerry Armstrong has worked for ICOS for 17 years and has over 30 years’ experience in the pensions industry. He manages the running of the membership and trustee responsibilities of the two defined benefit pension schemes that ICOS administers. The schemes have membership of c2,500 including active, deferred and pensioner members, and combined funds under management of c.€180 million.

gerry.armstrong@icos.ie

Brian O’Dowd has worked with ICOS for over 20 years. His duties include payment of the monthly pension payrolls for c.1,200 pensioners and administrative functions in the trusteeship/governance/financial control areas. Brian also handles statutory tax issues for the c.€5 million pensioner payroll budget and collection of c.€3.2 million in annual contributions.

brian.odowd@icos.ie

Since 2018, I have been responsible for the day-to-day running in the finance department for ICOS, Golden Jubilee Trust and the other related entities. My other responsibilities include administration / finance for Milk Quality Ireland. I have a Diploma from Accounting Technicians Ireland and a Diploma from ACCA in Accounting and Business.

john.hamilton@icos.ie

Breeda Flood is the ICOS Skillnet Operations Manager for the ICOS Skillnet Training Project. Her role includes organising training and events, sales & marketing of training programmes, development of new training programmes, customer relationship management, finance and budgeting. She is a qualified Trainer, Executive, Business and Career Coach and Behaviour Analysist. She plays an integral role in strategy and financial planning for the project and is part of the ICOS Learning & Development Team.

breeda.flood@icos.ie

Brónagh is the ICOS Skillnet Learning & Development Administrator. Brónagh is responsible for managing all training records, the circulation of relevant documentation to training suppliers, finance administration, the issuing of training certificates, as well as managing and updating the ICOS Skillnet data capturing programme. Brónagh has a BA Honours Degree in Business & Arts Management from IADT. Prior to working for ICOS, she worked in various roles including Arts Administration, Insurance Claims Handling, and Banking Customer Service.

bmolloy@icos.ie

Ian Fox is the lead Pension Administrator at ICOS with over 20 years experience in the Pensions industry. He manages the administration of the membership and trustee responsibilities of the two defined benefit pension schemes that ICOS oversee.

The schemes have membership of c. 2500 including active, deferred and pensioner members and combined funds under management of c. €180 million.