Barry Irvin is the Chairman of Bega Cheese and one of Australia’s most respected agrifood leaders, best known for transforming Bega from a small regional dairy co-op into a nationally recognised, branded food company.
Barry grew up a fifth-generation dairy farmer in the Bega Valley, learning resilience and hard work from an early age. After an early banking career, he returned home to help save the family farm, soon getting involved with Bega Co-operative Society just as it faced its own turning point.
Over more than three decades of leadership, Barry steered Bega through deregulation, industry fragmentation, and intense competition—championing a culture of humility, service, and trust. His commitment to long-term thinking and strategic investment culminated in Bega’s famous acquisition of Vegemite and other iconic Australian brands, marking a bold shift from commodity production to branded foods.
A believer in loyalty, collaboration—even with competitors—and in always sharing both dreams and fears, Barry has built a reputation for calm leadership in tough times and a vision for an industry built on relationships and shared value.
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