Our leadership team

CEO

Roy Power

Roy assumed the role of Executive Chairman of the Arvum Group in January 2024, having previously served as CEO of the Group since 1999. He is the fifth generation of the Power family to lead the business originally established in 1858. His formal training was in accountancy, but it wasn’t long before that was put aside to follow his passion for agriculture. Having gained experience with several multinationals in the area of plant breeding and variety trials, Roy joined the family seed business in the late eighties to set up the Seedtech research department. He took over the helm when his father Declan retired in 1999, and with his knowledge of the brewing and distilling industries was quick to see the value-added opportunity in the co-product supply chain, setting up what is Specialist Nutrition today, in 2001. Roy has served as President of the Irish Seed Trade Association (ISTA) and Chairman of the Irish Brewing and Distilling Industry barley research group.  He is currently the Chairman of the Plant Development Office in Ireland which oversees the implementation of plant breeders’ rights. In his role as Executive Chairman, Roy takes on a strategic role with a particular focus on the future development of the Group, including areas such as ESG, sustainability, climate change and food security.

Group Managing Director

Paul Flanagan

Paul was appointed Group CEO in January 2024, having previous served in the Group as General Manager of  DLF Seeds Ireland and as Technical and Production Manager of Seed Technology.  Prior to joining the Arvum Group, Paul worked with the UK’s Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) as a consultant agronomist on numerous prestigious European projects. He holds an honours degree in Turfgrass Science from the University of Central Lancashire.

Paul brings with him a wealth of market knowledge and business acumen, together with significant business development experience and technical expertise.  Paul is responsible for continuing the Group’s overall development and expansion, both at home and internationally.

Group Finance Director

Pat Farrell

Pat joined the Arvum Group as Chief Financial Officer in 2009. He holds an honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from the National University of Ireland (UCC) and is a Member and Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.  He has twenty five years’ experience in senior finance and managerial roles across Agri-Business, high volume manufacturing and property sectors.

As well as finance, Pat takes a leading role in the information technology, compliance and legal aspects of the group’s various businesses.

Group Marketing Manager

Nicola Bates

Nicola is a senior brand leader with over 13 years’ experience building and growing some of the UK and Ireland’s most recognisable food brands across domestic and international markets.

Prior to her current role, Nicola held senior leadership positions at Flahavan’s, Goodfella’s Pizza, Aunt Bessie’s and Symington’s, where she led brand strategy, innovation, integrated communications which contributed to commercial growth. Nicola’s experience spans international market development, major retailer partnerships, insight-led innovation, national TV campaigns and award-winning brand initiatives.