Nick Whelan chief guest at the Saffron Business Breakfast

It was another brilliant morning at the Saffron Business Forum breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, sponsored by OCO Global. The lead guest was the Dale Farm Group CEO, Nick Whelan, a Wexford man who arrived in Belfast in 2016 to take over the job of running one of the biggest co-ops on these islands. Under Nick’s leadership, Dale Farm now has a turnover of close to £750m and profits at twice the average industry margins. In interview with Paul McErlean, his stories about growing up on a farm in Wexford, his experiences with Kerry Group and Glanbia before his arrival at Dale Farm and the importance of family, greatly inspired the 160 people attending. The Forum wishes to thank OCO Global (www.ocoglobal.com) and Nick Watson, its UK&Ireland Director for the support this morning and well done to the three for three companies, Duality Healthcare, Belfast Commercial Funding and The Wine Rack who also pitched their wares very effectively. The morning was finished with Tony Shivers, the founder and Chairman of the Saffron Business Forum receiving belated recognition for his five years as Assistant Treasurer on the County Board from County Chairman, Seamus McMullan. Next up is the Forum’s big annual lunch on May 15^th – with Cork legend Jimmy Barry Murphy as the lead guest, it’s going to be another legendary afternoon.