Jim Moloney: Jim Moloney, who has died aged 80, was a prominent figure in Irish agribusiness, having been director general of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society and, more recently, chairman of the Irish Agricultural Wholesale Society.
A native of Barryroe, west Cork, he came from a strong farming background. He was educated at St Mary's secondary school, Clonakilty, and University College Cork. Graduating with a degree in history and economics, he joined IAOS, the co-operative umbrella body (later renamed ICOS), as field officer for Munster in 1950. He spent his entire professional career working with the co-operative movement and went on to become director general of ICOS in 1983. He retired from the organisation in 1989.
In 1981, at the invitation of the then chairman, PI Meagher, he joined the board of the Irish Agricultural Wholesale Society Ltd (IAWS). He joined the board of IAWS Group plc in 1988 on its formation and was appointed chairman in 1991. He retired from this position in October 2003 and remained as a non-executive director until January of this year.
He had a detailed knowledge of the Irish co-operative movement and was actively involved in the creamery rationalisation programmes of the 1960s which resulted in the formation of Kerry, Avonmore, Waterford, Golden Vale and other large co-operatives.
His enormous contribution to the development of Kerry co-operative is well documented in James Kennelly's book, The Kerry Way: the history of the Kerry Group 1971 -2000.
He also represented the Irish co-operatives on the board of COGECA, the central body of European co-operatives, which gave him an invaluable insight into developments on the European mainland. He acted as a catalyst for change by putting forward new ideas at every opportunity.
Jim Moloney was one of the first to recognise that the IAWS would need access to outside sources of funds if the business was to grow to its full potential. In 1988, the decision to transfer most of its business to the newly-formed "plc" was a major ideological bridge for shareholders to cross. Some members were reluctant to change and there was a legal challenge. All through that period Jim Moloney was a rock of common sense, and the esteem in which he was held by the co-operative movement was instrumental in the success of the public flotation.
Over recent years IAWS Group has developed into a totally new area of business - lifestyle foods. In doing so a presence has been established in mainland Europe, the United States and Canada.
Jim Moloney played a key role in this repositioning and he was a wonderful support to the executive team in all the acquisitions and the negotiations, which were a necessary part of the process.
Jim greatly admired Horace Plunkett, the father of the co-operative movement, and it was fitting that he was the recipient of the 2005 Plunkett Award for Co-operative Endeavour. This was one of his proudest moments.
"The big challenge for the future will be the scale of our competitors," he recently told the Irish Farmers' Journal. "As co-ops get bigger - and it is inevitable - it will be important that they do not stray too far from their roots. That is the challenge for the new generation."
His wife Una and daughter Aoifeann survive him.
Jim Moloney: born October 29th, 1925; died April 3rd, 2006