Ornua Foods UK & Europe has appointed Patrick Blake as its new managing director.
Blake is currently the business unit’s executive director for Ireland, Europe & strategic sourcing, and will take up this new role in March 2026.
Ornua said he brought a wealth of experience, having held several senior leadership positions across the business since joining the organisation in 2013,
Most recently, Blake has served as managing director of Ornua Foods International, where he has overseen significant growth of the Kerrygold brand, including high performance in Ornua’s home market of Ireland.
“Patrick is a highly respected leader within Ornua with extensive understanding of our business, our customers and our co-operative roots,” said César França, chief commercial officer at Ornua. “He has consistently demonstrated commercial leadership and strategic capability across multiple markets including the US, Germany and Ireland.
“I am delighted to appoint Patrick to this role and look forward to working closely with him as we continue to grow Ornua Foods UK & Europe.”
In his new role as managing director UK & Europe, Blake will be responsible for leading Ornua’s own label business in the UK as well as driving growth of Kerrygold and Pilgrims Choice.
He will also have responsibility for leading the team supporting the ongoing success of Kerrygold in Ireland and other key European markets.
Blake replaces Simon Ball, who has stepped down from the role to take up a new external opportunity.
“On behalf of Ornua, I would like to acknowledge and thank Simon for his commitment and many achievements during his time with the business,” França added. “He successfully guided Ornua Foods UK through a period of major transformation and growth and we wish him every success in his next career opportunity.”
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