£1m investment in Fane Valley workforce across Northern Ireland sites

Pictured (L-R) are Trevor Lockhart, CEO, Fane Valley Group and Niall Casey, Director of Skills and Competitiveness, Invest NI

Agricultural and food company, Fane Valley Group, is investing £1.1m in skills development across its business group to deliver its three-year business plan.  

Formed in 1903 and headquartered in Moira, the company has sites in Belfast, Omagh, Moy, Newry and Tandragee, along with 17 agri-retail stores across Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the investment while visiting the company’s HQ in Moira, Niall Casey, Director of Skills and Competitiveness at Invest Northern Ireland said: “With over 1,000 employees across Northern Ireland, Fane Valley plays a vital role in our regional economy. This investment in skills strengthens the local food and agriculture sector by developing local talent and empowering its workforce to reskill to meet customer demands. It will also support Fane Valley to build the skills needed to lead initiatives such as sustainable practices and improved supply chain traceability, helping the business deliver its ambitious growth plans.”

The company’s overarching training plan will focus on sales and marketing, leadership capability, supply chain development and digital capabilities.  

The training will be company-wide across the Fane Valley Group which includes Duncrue Food Processors and Fane Valley Feeds. 

Trevor Lockhart, CEO at Fane Valley Group said: “Fane Valley places a strong emphasis on developing its people, recognising that a skilled and knowledgeable workforce is central to our continued success. By investing in employee training, leadership development and professional growth opportunities, we are strengthening our capability to grow our customer base.  

“This investment will ensure our teams are equipped to respond to evolving customer demands and increasing sustainability expectations, helping us create a culture of continuous improvement across all areas of the business.”

Reflecting on the impact of the training programme on the business to date, Trevor added: “This focus on skills development has helped the group improve efficiency, support innovation and adapt to the changing needs of the Agri - food sector. Fane Valley’s commitment to nurturing talent ensures that employees are equipped with the expertise needed to drive performance, support customers and contribute to our long-term growth and competitiveness.

“Working with Invest NI has enabled us to accelerate this programme and ensure our people have the skills needed to support the future growth of the business.”

Niall Casey added: “Investing in the skills of its workforce is essential for any business that wants to grow and stay competitive. By developing the right capabilities, companies can adapt more quickly to change, improve productivity and unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth. This is exactly what Fane Valley is doing.”