THE FOUNDER of one of Ireland’s most successful charities, livestock aid organisation Bóthar has announced his retirement as chief executive after 20 years in the post.
Peter Ireton (59) will retire at the end of this month after growing the organisation from its one-off gesture of sending an airlift of cows to Africa to mark Limerick Treaty 300 celebrations in 1991 to a charity with a €10 million turnover.
Today, with a staff of 30 – 25 in Ireland and five abroad – and its partnerships with similar organisations based in five countries, principally US-based Heifer International, Bóthar delivers livestock across 35 countries that lifts 5,000 families every year out of destitution.
In addition to gifting livestock, 16 species in all, ranging from Irish cows and goats to camels, water buffalo and even bees, Bóthar’s main focus is training and educating recipient families on how to look after their food-and-income producing animal.
According to Bóthar it is these methods of training, animal husbandry and the “passing on” of the first female offspring that provides a sustainable solution to helping a family lift themselves out of poverty, permanently.
While stepping back from the organisation he founded, Limerick man Mr Ireton will continue to work at a reduced level as director of strategy for Bóthar. His replacement will be announced over the coming weeks.
Announcing his retirement yesterday, Mr Ireton said it was time to make way for new blood and fresh thinking for the organisation.
“Little did I know that what started out as a one-off project with the late TJ Maher back in 1991 would grow into a charity that works in 35 countries today. I am quite happy, however, to be stepping down as chief executive as I believe it’s time for new blood and a new vision for the organisation,” he said.
“Generally I think the need for new blood applies to many charities today; there is a need for new thinking. New people bring new ideas and that is where the focus should be in these challenging times,” he added.
According to Mr Ireton charity organisations need to address the issue of duplication where one or more charities end up trying to deliver the same project into the same communities.