New Head of Human Resources appointed in Teagasc

Teagasc has appointed Valerie Farrell as Head of its Human Resources Department in the organisation. The appointment was approved at a recent meeting of the Teagasc Authority. This is being announced today to coincide with International Women’s Day which celebrates the achievements of female leaders.

Valerie Farrell New Head of Human Resources in Teagasc

Valerie Farrell joined the Teagasc HR Department in 2005 as a HR Services Manager. She became a HR Operations Manager in 2008, and since 2010 has worked as HR Manager and HR Partner in the Knowledge Transfer and Operations Directorates.

In her earlier career Valerie Farrell worked for Intel Ireland from 2000 to 2004. And before that she was a senior HR representative with Xilinx Ireland for 5 years. She commenced her career spending time with both Lombard and Ulster and Coca Cola.

Valerie Farrell qualified with a Degree in Business Studies from the University of Limerick. She went on to complete a Masters in Change Management and Innovation at the University of Brighton. She also holds a Diploma in Strategic Management from Henley & IMI.

She has been a board member of the Institute of Technology in Carlow since 2015 and was elected Vice Chairperson of the board in 2020.

 In Teagasc she has led the design, consultation and delivery of the People Leadership and Change Strategy which was agreed and published in 2012. She is a member of the Teagasc People Strategy (2018) Steering Committee, leading a number of the staff and team development projects, as well as mentoring many of the project leaders.

Speaking following her appointment, Valerie Farrell said: “I look forward to leading the Teagasc HR function and working with my colleagues to execute a goals based HR strategy that improves organisational capability and positions Teagasc as a global leader in the agri-food sector.”

Congratulating Valerie Farrell on her appointment, Chairman of the Teagasc Authority, Liam Herlihy said: “Valerie has a strong track record of delivery, both in Teagasc and in other roles she has filled. She has lead and supported a process of change in Teagasc Human resources management and across the wider organisation. I wish her the very best in this management position.”