Barry Irvin - AM

Executive Chairman – Bega Group

Chairman - Giant Steps Australia

Barry Irvin is Executive Chairman of the Bega Group, one of Australia's largest dairy and food companies with revenues exceeding $3 billion. Bega Group supplies both the Australian and international markets with a product portfolio that ranges from dairy ingredients to a number of Australia's most iconic brands including Vegemite, Farmers Union, Dare, Dairy Farmers and Daily Juice.

Bega Group began as a co-operative based in a small regional community and largely produced Cheese products for the Australian market. Since deregulation of the Australian Dairy industry Bega Group has grown to include 20 manufacturing sites across the country, operate Australia's largest chilled distribution network and service customers in Australia and more than 40 countries around the world. Bega Group is an ASX listed company with shareholders ranging from retail investors (including many of the original dairy farming families) and large institutional investors.

Barry grew up on his family dairy farm which his son Andrew now operates, Andrew is the sixth generation to farm in the Bega Valley. The long history with farming has meant that Barry has had a particular interest in sustainable agricultural production and championed a number of environmentally focused projects. Most recently Barry has led the establishment of a Regional Circularity Co-operative with the ambition of making the Bega Valley the most circular region in the world.

Barry has always believed in giving back to the community and is the long-term Chairman of Giant Steps Australia an organisation that provides services to children and adults with autism.