Our Directors & Leaders

Gareth Connolly

Chief Executive Officer

As a key driver of strategy within the organization, and bringing a unique perspective as a 5th-generation family member, Gareth has dedicated a significant portion of his career to Connolly’s RED MILLS (CRM). He has worked in various roles across the CRM group of companies, collaborating with colleagues, suppliers, and customers.

Gareth was involved in key manufacturing, IT, and R&D projects from an early age. His career also includes holding a senior sales role for domestic and international markets, particularly in Ireland, the UK, and the USA.

With a focus on innovation and long-term strategic vision, Gareth has played a key role in developing and marketing the company’s brand. He has also been responsible for stewarding the brand and successfully integrating strategic acquisitions into the CRM family of companies. In 2021, Gareth Connolly succeeded his father, as Group CEO, taking on the responsibility of leading the business into the next generation.

John Connolly

Chief Operating Officer

John joined the company in 2012 as a 5th-generation Connolly. With a background in Finance from working with Barclays in London and IFG in Dublin, John specialises in Corporate Risk, Pensions, and Renewable and Non-renewable Energies.

John is highly qualified, having earned a Masters from DIT in Business & Entrepreneurship, as well as a BA in Economics from UCD and Management from UCC.

Today, John is the Director and Chief Operations Officer of the Connolly’s RED MILLS Group and has been at the forefront of its digital transformation since 2016.

Michael Connolly

Global Strategy & Business Development Director (Exports)

Michael joined the family company in 1993, working alongside his brothers, Bill, Joe, and the late John Connolly Sr. In 1994, he relocated to Germany, where he focused on driving the global expansion of the RED MILLS Group. Collaborating with expert teams across the business’s various divisions—including horse, pet, camel, and supplements—Michael has played a key role in the company’s international growth.

With a Master’s Degree in International Business Administration and a Post-Graduate Diploma from the International Sales Programme, Michael has played a strategic role in product and process development. Over the past 28 years, he has been instrumental in driving the global expansion of Connolly’s RED MILLS Group. Michael has also overseen key technological advancements, including the development of the Nutrient Fresh Management System (NFMS) packaging, which extends product lifespan. Additionally, he led the company’s entry into supplement solutions following the acquisition of Foran Healthcare in 2013 and the establishment of the RED MILLS subsidiary in Japan in 2014.

Since 2019, Michael has focused on the equine and camel divisions as Managing Director of RED MILLS International FZE in Dubai, UAE. Fluent in German and proficient in several Asian and European languages, including classical Arabic, he now leads the Middle East and APAC businesses from his home base in Dubai.

Ann Crowley

Human Resources Manager

Ann comes from a farming background in South Kilkenny and gained a BA from UCC before going on to UCD for her Post Graduate studies. As a mature student she returned to UL to successfully complete the Higher Certificate in Equine Science.

Ann has spent a number of years working abroad, living in Greece, Hungary and Oman. She has transitioned through various business sectors, from education to the insurance and motor industries, accumulating almost two decades of experience in Human Resource Management along the way.

Beyond her professional life, Ann enjoys traveling, the arts and horse racing. She is also an avid reader, and is passionate about lifelong learning and development.

Michael Shields

Chief Technical Officer

Michael Shields is Chief Technical Officer at Connolly’s RED MILLS and a member of the Senior Management Team.

He holds a B.Agr.Sc degree from UCD and an MBA from RMIT University, Melbourne. He oversees Feed Formulation, Research and Development, Quality Control, Technical Support, and Business Relationships at Connolly’s RED MILLS.

Michael has spent almost all of his career in technical and commercial roles in the Animal Health and Feed industries. His working career has taken him to over 20 countries and he has lived in England, Australia, and Central America.

He is a past president of the Irish Pig Health Society and he is the current Chairperson of the Feed Committee of the Irish Grain and Feed Association and the Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances (NOPS) Sub-Committee of the British Equine Trade Association (BETA). He is a founder member of Marble City Cyclers, Kilkenny’s largest road cycling club.

Michael Collins

Chief Financial Officer

Michael joined Connolly’s RED MILLS as CFO in 2008 and is responsible for all aspects of financial management and strategy within the business. Michael leads a finance and administration team focussed on best practice and continuous process improvement. As a member of the senior management team, he is involved in the commercial running of the business and in its future development through re-investment and acquisition.

Michael started his career with PwC, working with the firm in Ireland and New Zealand, before joining Dawn Meats as group financial controller in 1995 for 13 years.

Michael is a fellow member of Chartered Accountants Ireland and is a graduate of Stanford University’s strategic leadership for CFOs programme.

Colleen Kavanagh

Financial Controller

Colleen joined Connolly’s RED MILLS in 2005 as Financial Accountant and was promoted to her current role, Financial Controller, in 2012.

Before this she completed a Waterford Institute of Technology Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting with a Scholarship for outstanding performance. She then went on to hone her skills further in Griffith College while training with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Colleen qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2005.

Colleen is currently responsible for the day-to-day running of the Finance Department, including treasury activities, producing consolidated accounts, and preparing R&D and Grant claims.

This mother of two is a Black Belt in Taekwondo, a past member of Paulstown Boxing Club, a half marathon runner, and an active committee member of the Wexford Motor Club Youth Academy.

Michael Phelan

Agri Business Manager

Michael, a graduate from Waterford Institute of Technology, has worked in the agribusiness sector for over 35 years. His main roles have been in seed production and sales, raw material purchasing, and management of the Ruminant Feed Sales Team. Michael is a former president of the Irish Seed Trade Association (ISTA), the Irish Grain And Feed Association (IGFA), and the Irish Tillage and Land Use Society (ITLUS).

Paul Connolly

Project & Systems Engineer

Paul is a 5th-generation Connolly who joined our team in 2021 after working as a Machine Learning Engineer.

He graduated with a Masters in Electronic and Computer Engineering from UCD. During this program, he spent 1 year studying abroad in China, and 1 year as a Robotics Intern for a research lab in San Francisco.

Before RED MILLS, Paul developed state-of-the-art computer vision and data analytics algorithms while working at an Ag-Tech start-up focused on dairy farms in California.

At Connolly’s RED MILLS, he brings an engineering and data-driven skillset to the group.