IGBF End of Year Address 2021

The annual Grocers Christmas lunch is the event and occasion where we normally bid farewell to our outgoing President of Appeals and introduce and welcome the incoming President for the coming year. Alas this year due to Covid 19 this will not be possible in person.

The role of the President of Appeals is to support the many fundraising activities & events of the Charity in a given year and spearhead his or her own bespoke fundraising event and endeavours throughout the year.

The IGBF executive and regional committee members would like to sincerely thank Sharon Buckley, Chief Commercial Officer Musgrave, for her outstanding contribution and unwavering dedication to the role during 2020 and indeed 2021 despite what can only be hailed as unprecedented and challenging times for every fundraising entity in the country. During her time as president, Sharon showed great compassion and understanding of the work of the charity and the impact that it has on its beneficiaries all across our trade and was relentless in her endeavour to raise much needed funds in very difficult circumstances.  Sharon is also a passionate & staunch supporter of the TWIG event and was a keynote speaker in both 2016 and again in 2021.

Sharon passes the baton for 2022 over to Kevin Keating Managing Director (Joint) of Tennant and Ruttle Distribution. We are delighted to welcome Kevin on board and look forward to supporting him throughout his presidency.

We would also like to take this opportunity to announce the following changes within the IGBF Executive committee structure and confirm Frances Higgins, Group Head of Promotions BWG Foods UC as Chairwoman for 2022 and to acknowledge the fantastic work of the outgoing Chairman Leonard Hegarty, General Manager G&M Industrial Cleaning Products / Textile Recycling Ltd.