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UCD recognises a trailblazing career that transformed Irish industry and inspired a new generation of leaders.

UCD has conferred an Honorary Doctorate to Siobhán Talbot, one of Ireland’s most accomplished and widely respected business leaders. The award recognises her extraordinary contribution to Irish industry and global food and nutrition markets, as well as her contribution to the advancement of women in leadership.

“To receive this honour from UCD is a tremendous privilege,” said Siobhan. “It is simply impossible to overstate the positive influence of education for both individuals and wider society.”

“UCD played an incredibly important role in my own personal and professional journey. I simply would not have had the career that I enjoyed so much without the opportunity to attend such a great university, where we received encouragement, support and a strong education, while also managing to have some fun! I have no doubt that this crucial work will continue to have a positive influence across future generations, here in Ireland and globally.”

Raised on a family farm in Kilmoganny, Co. Kilkenny, Talbot’s journey from rural Ireland to the helm of a multinational corporation began at UCD, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma in Professional Accounting. Initially considering a career in teaching, she discovered her passion for accounting during her studies at UCD, leading her to train as a Chartered Accountant with PwC. Her early career included roles in Ireland and Australia, giving her a strong international foundation.

Talbot joined Waterford Foods in 1992 and her career progression saw her take on increasingly senior leadership roles, post the landmark merger between Waterford Foods and Avonmore in 1997, which later became Glanbia. She joined the Senior Leadership Team in 2000, serving as Group Secretary, Group Finance Director and being appointed as Group Managing Director in 2013. 
Siobhan is only the second woman in Irish business history to lead a publicly-listed company.

During her tenure as CEO, Glanbia underwent a profound transformation, evolving in 2021 from its historical roots as an Irish dairy cooperative into two separate, strong global businesses, Tirlan Co-operative and Glanbia plc. Glanbia plc is a global leader in performance nutrition, high-value food ingredients and science-based innovation. The company achieved significant growth with revenues now exceeding €4 billion across 32 markets and employs over 6,000 staff globally.

Talbot is widely admired for her collaborative, pragmatic leadership, her ability to steer organisations through complex global environments, as well as her commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible business. Her service on boards including CRH and IBEC further reflects her influence across the business world.

Beyond her executive achievements, Talbot has played a significant role in shaping Ireland’s future business leaders. Despite her demanding schedule, she has remained an active contributor to UCD, engaging with students and alumni, and championing diversity in leadership.

Her well-known leadership mantra, “If you can see it, you can be it,” continues to inspire women and emerging leaders across the country.

“In honouring Siobhán today, we recognise a career of achievement at the very highest level of business, we recognise the impact of someone who has reshaped their sector at both a national and a global level, and we recognise a leader who provides an inspirational and empowering role model for UCD’s student and alumni community,” concluded Professor Tony Brabazon, Dean of UCD College of Business.

Join our UCD Business Impact podcast as she discusses her remarkable career journey, which she describes as a "baptism of fire" from the hard graft of PwC to her rise to Group Managing Director of Glanbia.