Niamh Lenehan has been appointed CEO designate of An Rialálaí Agrabhia, a new State regulatory body that will examine commercial relationships between food producers, processors and retailers.
The regulatory body is expected to be established when the Agriculture and Food Supply Chain Bill passes through the Oireachtas.
The Bill is currently at final stage in the Dáil and has yet to go to the Seanad.
While the legislative process takes place, Ms Lenehan will initially commence her position as head of the Unfair Trading Practices Enforcement Authority, an interim body set up in the Department of Agriculture to examine complaints regarding unfair treatment of suppliers by retailers.
The Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill provides mechanisms for the Regulator to examine and make recommendations on any aspect of the agri-food supply chain, including the collection and analysis of price and market data to improve transparency and address information gaps in the supply chain.
Once established, it will also be the body responsible for investigating unfair trading practices.
Niamh Lenehan's most recent professional role has been with the Insolvency Service of Ireland where she led initiatives in the areas of policy and regulation.
Ms Lenehan previously held management roles with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).
She holds a doctoral degree in Education from Maynooth University in addition to qualifications in Agricultural Science.
These include an honours bachelor degree in Agricultural Science from University College Dublin and a masters degree from Kansas State University in the US.
Ms Lenehan also holds a professional certificate in corporate governance from the Institute of Public Administration.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has welcomed her appointment.
