Damien Butler CDir
Managing Director, Donnelly Fresh Produce and Board Director, Repak Ireland
Damien Butler CDir, is Managing Director of Donnelly Fresh Produce, and Board Director, Repak Ireland.
Damien has over 30 years professional experience in FMCG with a particular focus on fresh food. Damien’s work experience has primarily been in the dynamic world of fresh produce where agility and ability to horizon scan is a key attribute.
As a key industry expert in sustainable packaging, and as part his ongoing professional growth, Damien has recently been appointed as Member Director to the Board of Repak Ireland. Damien was educated in the Smurfit Business School and qualified as a Chartered director with IoD Ireland.
What is the one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?
If you are authentic both to employees and all other stakeholders, you will receive robust and honest feedback which is crucial for any leader. People will trust your informed decision making. Buy-in from all stakeholders is so important especially when difficult decisions need to be made. Leaders cannot lead in isolation and authenticity also applies to yourself. It is never a weakness to “wear your heart on your sleeve” as people will respond positively in kind.
What is the most important lesson, from your personal or business life, that has guided you the most in being a business leader?
I truly believe you learn more from your failures than your success. Either in your business, sport or personal life. We all should learn by our mistakes and when we do we appreciate the wins even more. Most of us rarely achieve major business highs in our career but mostly a series of small wins along the way which in the main can be hard fought with certain risks attached. It is hugely important that we celebrate and recognise each win as our careers progresses.
How has being a member of IoD Ireland supported your role as a director and business leader?
Structure is the one word I would use to describe what being a member of IoD Ireland has meant to me. It may not seem very exciting, but IoD Ireland has taught me to put levels of organisation, governance and strategic thinking in place to allow our board to plan as best possible for future growth. A huge number of well-meaning leaders with excellent business ideas have failed because of the lack of organised structure and governance. The IoD with its Chartered Director programme offers such training for business leaders, the capability to apply such structural skills not only to their own organisation but to other non executive director (NED) roles.
What do you value most about being a member of IoD Ireland?
For me the best aspect of being an IoD Ireland member is staying connected. Connection and learning from my peers have been invaluable over the last seven years. Not only through my Chartered Director journey, but also other courses like Leading Sustainability, as well as various business seminars and social events. I have built up a wealth of business contacts and friendships which I can turn to for advice. One aspect of leadership can be isolation, so being able to tap into the IoD Ireland network has proven instrumental in both my career and personal growth.
Is there someone who has had a major impact on you as a leader? Why and how did this person impact your life?
The people closest to you always have the biggest influence. In my case I am in no doubt my wife has impacted my life the most both personally and professionally. She has been the biggest encouragement when it came to career decisions or directions over the years. The belief she has in my ability to deliver leadership in business situations has been profound.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing your organisation in the near future, and how do you plan to address them?
Climate change leading to supply insecurity is no doubt the biggest challenge we face. As an organisation operating in the food and agricultural sector both locally and around the world, we have first hand experience of current difficulties of rising global temperatures. As growers in Ireland and working closely with other farmers we see the immediate impact of changing weather patterns on crop production. The ability to forecast and plan is proven more difficult with each passing season. We do see volatility increasing which will lead to supply shortages and inflation leading to investment decisions being postponed. We will attempt to influence all stakeholders in what changes need to be implemented, and we have embarked on our own sustainable journey right throughout our organisation. Personally, my membership as a Director of the Repak Ireland board is also part of that journey.
How do you think business leaders can best prepare for the future?
“Whatever got you here is not going to be enough to get you to where you want to go” This statement has always resonated with me and as leaders we must be constantly revaluating vision, purpose and values. Not to be afraid of change, learning and development. To be amenable to do things differently while at the same time bring key skills learnt from experience over time to the process.
What advice would you offer to new or aspiring directors in Ireland?
Along with some formal training and surrounding yourself with good people, make sure you take time and alternative views over critical issues as they arise. Keep your purpose to the fore as it will help you to continue making the right decisions.
