Minister Burke Announces Appointment of Jim Woulfe as Chairperson of Enterprise Ireland

Jim Woulfe is the Chair of Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government’s enterprise development agency who’s long-term ambition is that our indigenous exporters become the primary driver of the Irish economy.  

Appointed to this role in February 2026, Jim is committed to supporting the agency as it works with more than 4,000 Irish-owned companies on their journey to achieving greater scale and to become global leaders in their field, providing a platform for strong economic growth, and creating and sustaining jobs in communities around Ireland.  

A highly experienced senior executive and respected leader with almost five decades of operational, strategic and board‑level experience, Jim spent 42 years working with Dairygold Co‑Operative Society, one of Ireland’s largest dairy processors. Over these four decades, Jim held multiple senior leadership roles across varying functions across the organisation, including Head of Human Resources leading the Agri Business Division, before serving as Chief Executive from 2009 to 2021. During his tenure, he led the organisation through significant global and industry change, including the organisation’s largest ever capital investment programme which delivered world‑class dairy processing infrastructure and capability.  

Jim currently serves on the boards of Bord Bia, Fota Wildlife Park and Pairc Uí Caoimh (member of Stadium Board).  

He is passionate about balanced regional development and supporting the sustainable growth of strong local economies, as well as diversifying Ireland’s enterprise base.