Many of us get a little confused when it comes to FBD. Everyone knows the gestation story. An insurance company dedicated to serving the needs of the Irish farm sector was established in the late 1960s with the initial share capital mainly provided by farmers investing fifty pounds each to get it established. Since then, the company has grown to be a major insurance player in both agriculture and the general Irish market and is the only indigenous insurance company in Ireland. The three-legged FBD stool now encompasses FBD Holdings (the insurance wing), Farmer Business Developments (a farmer-controlled investment vehicle with a 26 per cent shareholding in the insurance company), and FBD Trust, an extraordinarily successful entity established to support agricultural endeavour and rural Ireland generally. FBD Trust celebrated 50 years last month with a dinner and book launch at the Farmer Business Developments-owned Castleknock Hotel. Michael Miley compiled the book, entitled ‘Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow’ and led a series of eulogies on the Trust’s many and varied philanthropic disbursements over the past 50 years, from the representatives of recipient organisations at the Castleknock event. IFP Media, publisher of Irish Farmers Monthly, published the historical tome on behalf of FBD Trust. Since its foundation the Trust has provided almost €70m in financial support across agricultural research, advice and education. Ten years ago, the Trust provided €2m to assist in the establishment of the Paddy O’ Keeffe Innovation Centre at Moorepark, and three years ago was instrumental in the development of the Padraig Walshe Research Centre for sustainable animal and grassland research at the same venue. Teagasc, UCD, Macra, the Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodation for the parents of sick children adjacent to the new children’s hospital, are also among the organisations and services that have benefitted from the Trust’s largesse. Michael Berkery chairs the Trust’s board of directors, who give their time and expertise free of charge for the continuing betterment of rural Ireland.
