The new chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland will be Dr John O'Brien. He will take up office next June to replace the late Ms Ann Westby.
Dr O'Brien is currently director of corporate scientific affairs at Danone and head of the Danone food safety centre based in Paris.
Originally from Cork, he has extensive experience in the food industry, having held a number of senior positions within Danone, including that of director of food safety for the Danone group from 1999 until 2003.
A chartered chemist, chartered biologist and registered toxicologist, he has a BSc and PhD from University College Cork and an MSc from the University of Surrey. He has broad knowledge of risk assessment and food safety management at an international level, together with communication expertise. He has contributed to and edited a number of leading academic journals.