Dan was ‘a remarkable leader and visionary’
Tributes have poured in for businessman Daniel (Dan) Browne who co-founded Dawn Meats.
The agri-food entrepreneur, who was born in Douglas, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, in University Hospital Waterford on Tuesday at the age of 88.
A statement from Dawn Meats said Mr Browne was a pioneering figure in Irish agriculture and made an outstanding contribution to the Irish agri-food industry, and the meat industry in particular.
It said: “He was a remarkable leader and visionary, serving as managing director of Dawn Meats for 27 years and developing the business into one of Europe’s leading meat processing companies. He was also a valued member of the board of Dawn Meats and through his wise counsel, he continued to play a key role in the further success of the company. Through his work at Dawn Meats and his wider contribution to agriculture and the agri-food industry, Mr Browne leaves a lasting legacy and he will be greatly missed.”
Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said: “Dan played a pivotal role in transforming the company into one of Europe’s leading meat processing enterprises. Dan was a visionary leader whose commitment to ethical, sustainable, and environmentally conscious practices set new standards in the Irish food sector. Through is chairmanship of both Teagasc and Bord Bia he was a tireless advocate for the broader Irish food industry. Dan’s passing is a profound loss, and he will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of working with or knowing him.”
Mr Browne started his career as a research scientist.
He worked with An Foras Talúntais, the agricultural research institute, initially at the grassland research centre at Johnstown Castle in Wexford before moving back to Cork in 1959 where he developed a national dairy research centre at Moorepark, outside Fermoy.
He was the third scientist to be recruited to Moorepark and was central in building a world-class centre there over the following 15 years. In 1974, Mr Browne left the world of research and joined the meat industry, becoming manager of the Cork Marts — IMP plant at Midleton.
In 1980, Mr Browne, along with John Queally and the late Peter Queally, established Dawn Meats. He served as managing director of the company, a position he held for 27 years. Under his leadership, Dawn Meats quickly developed into one of Europe’s leading meat processing companies.
He retired from his role as managing director in2007, but continued to be a board member and key adviser to the company’s leadership as it grew into a business with more than €3 billion in annual revenue, employing over 8,000 staff in twelve countries.
In 2011, Mr Browne was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from UCD, where he had previously studied, in recognition of his vision, leadership, innovation and outstanding contribution to agricultural developments.
He was chair of the board at Teagasc from 1993 to 1998 and chair of the board of An Bord Bia from 2008 to 2011. He was Chair of Waterford Airport since 2010.
He is survived by his wife Kay, children Paddy, Aoidin, Colm, Niall and ten grandchildren. Niall has served as Chief Executive of Dawn Meats since 2007.