Women leading the future of farming: FDC Group sponsors Dairy Women Ireland

Addison Bridges of FDC Group reports on an innovative partnership between FDC Group and Dairy Women Ireland to promote the voices of women in agriculture 

“Women now lead the way on, as well as off the farm, acting as trusted advisors in their roles as farm accountants, solicitors and consultants across the country,” says Claire Hanrahan, Regional Manager in FDC Group. 

FDC Group's sponsorship of Dairy Women Ireland highlights the importance of empowering women in farming, fostering a community that encourages knowledge-sharing and collaboration. By supporting initiatives that elevate women’s voices in agriculture, FDC Group aligns with its core values of independence and integration, recognising that diverse contributions lead to more resilient agricultural practices and stronger rural communities.

Moreover, FDC Group’s commitment to integrity and innovation is evident in its support for women in agriculture. By investing in programmes that promote women's engagement, the company not only uplifts individual farmers but also drives industry-wide change.

This partnership cultivates an environment where innovative ideas flourish, ensuring that women are not just participants but leaders in shaping the future of dairy farming. Through this alignment of values, FDC Group exemplifies how strategic support can create lasting impact, reinforcing the essential role of women in agriculture for the benefit of the entire industry. This is the model that FDC itself practices — being an advocate for all.

Speaking at the upcoming Dairy Women Ireland Conference on Saturday November 23rd in Charleville Park Hotel, Cork is Claire Hanrahan, Regional Manager in FDC Group. 

Claire Hanrahan joined FDC Group in 2007. Following the completion of an Accountancy degree at University College Cork, she joined the Newcastle West office. Nearly 16 years later, Claire now holds the position of Regional Manager of the Southern Region 2, which comprises the Kanturk, Killarney, Listowel, Tralee, Ballyvourney and Abbeyfeale offices.  

Balance in life is crucial. Claire touches on the balancing act of career progression and home life, commenting: “It is hard to balance the responsibilities of having a young family at home with the flexibility required to perform at work. There were years where I questioned that balance, but I would urge women in business to persevere and stick with finding that balance. The opportunity for personal development is huge.”

 Throughout her career, Claire has seen considerable change within the Irish farming industry.

“Women's roles in agriculture have evolved significantly over the last number of years with women playing the lead more than ever in the areas of farm education, innovation and expansion. They also lead the way on the farm, which we witness during our many interactions with clients each year in FDC. It is an exciting time for women in agriculture. FDC are proud to be involved with Dairy Women Ireland to help promote and encourage this,” stated Claire regarding the partnership with Dairy Women Ireland.

Outside of sponsorships, strong representation of women in farming is reflected on the FDC Agriculture Advisory Team which has been growing exponentially, especially in the Abbeyfeale office.

Beyond Abbeyfeale, FDC’s Agriculture Advisory Team works out of offices in  Midleton,  Cahir and soon, in the West of Ireland.

One recent addition to the Ag Advisory Team is dairy farmer Sheena Murphy. During COVID, Sheena graduated from CIT with an honour’s degree in agriculture and kickstarted her career working for ICBF, Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, via their graduate programme as a HerdPlus Business Analyst for three years.

From there, Sheena diversified her career with FDC Group as an Ag Advisor in October of last year. 

“I like working on the herd performance, breeding and genetic side of the industry and seeing where improvements can be made through breeding decisions,” says Sheena, currently in the first year of her Masters in Innovation & Sustainable Agriculture at MTU.

Outside of her position with FDC Group, Sheena balances working on the family dairy farming in mid Cork, milking a herd of pedigree Holstein Friesians and Jerseys, as well as managing her horses.

Regarding FDC Group’s sponsorship of Dairy Women Ireland Sheena says, “It’s fantastic to work with a company so committed and involved with Dairy Women Ireland. As a member of DWI myself before starting with FDC, it was brilliant to learn of their involvement. We see in the day-to-day running on farms that women are heavily involved in all aspects and having organisations such as DWI promoting women in ag is a significant opportunity for all.” 

Overarchingly, one of FDC’s primary corporate aims is to build careers for all, fostering a strong community through many generations of employees, family ties and long-serving clients.

If you’re interested in learning more about a career with FDC Group, please visit https://www.fdc.ie/careers/.