Distinguished alumni
Bob Carnell
BSc Banking and Finance 1990
CEO, ABP Food Group
Bob received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022 for his outstanding contribution to retail and commitment to charitable work and volunteering.
Bob was appointed CEO of ABP Food Group in their UK division in 2019 after a 24-year career across the wider Kerry Group, most recently Managing Director of Kerry Foods' consumer brands business in the UK and Ireland.
He has worked in a range of other senior commercial and general management roles at the Irish food giant, including managing the integration of Noon Products into the business after its acquisition in 2005 and playing a central role in the successful development of Kerry Foods into a multichannel business.
In 2008 Bob was caught up in the Mumbai terrorist attacks when visiting India with Sir Gulam Noon (the "Curry King") to look at business opportunities in India. Around 70 people were killed or injured when terrorists attacked the Taj Mahal Hotel. This triggered him to get involved in various projects.
He is a board member of North Highland Products which supports the local community in the north of Scotland and was until recently part of the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) committee to raise funds for injured soldiers via the ABF "Big Curry Lunch".
He has been a patron of The Hunger Project, a global non-profit strategic organisation committed to the sustainable end of world hunger. They work in more than 18,000 communities across 12 countries of South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, reaching the lives of nearly 20 million people primarily through 395,000 trained volunteer leaders.
Bob is passionate about the importance of education and training, mentoring and coaching individuals to maximise their potential and talent, whatever their background.
He also volunteered as an assistant referee for the Rugby Football Union in 2012.