Ciaran McCartan - Member of the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee

Ciaran grew up on a small beef and pig farm in Co Armagh, which he ran with his father for over 30 years. After finishing school he went to study at the University of Ulster, attaining a HND in Microbiology and then BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry. He followed this up with a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management at University College Dublin.

Ciaran worked across various food and pharmaceutical (human and veterinary) companies for 11 years, before he joined Invest Northern Ireland in 2008. His commercial work included being the Quality Assurance manager in Ireland’s then largest privately owned contract testing laboratory and a lead auditor in the global quality team, for Schering Plough Pharmaceuticals. 

His current role with Invest NI, involves advising and guiding companies in the Agri-Food and Health & Life Sciences sectors, who wish to undertake Research & Development projects. He is also the Agri-Food contact point in Northern Ireland for the Knowledge Transfer Network, which advises on and promotes Innovate UK support.
He regularly works with colleagues across Department for the Economy, DAERA and CAFRE, to advise on innovation and strategy.

Personal Interests

Consultancies and/or direct employment

• Full time role as Invest Northern Ireland Innovation Advisor to Agri Food and Health & Life Sciences sectors across NI. 

Fee Paid Work

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Shareholdings 

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Clubs and other organisations

• Member of O'Connells GAC, Tullysaran

Other Personal Interests

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Non-personal Interests

Fellowships

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Indirect Support 

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Trusteeships

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Land and Property 

• Own and run a small farm in Armagh

Other public appointments 

• Governor for Our Lady's Primary School, Tullysaran

Other non-personal interests

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