Rita O’Kane
Rita O’Kane is a skilled food innovation and sustainability specialist at Foodovation, dedicated to supporting local food businesses and entrepreneurs in the Agri-Food sector. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Food & Nutrition from Ulster University, a Diploma in Industrial Studies, and a qualification in Sustainability, which underpins her commitment to environmentally responsible innovation. Rita brings extensive expertise in product development, particularly within beef, pork, lamb, and chicken, as well as ready-to-cook value-added products.
In her role, Rita leads the co-design and delivery of Decarbonisation Plans for SMEs, ensuring projects are achievable, timely, and maximise carbon reduction outcomes. She coordinates the work of Research & Innovation teams, allocating responsibilities and providing mentoring to develop innovative, sustainable solutions that reduce CO₂ emissions in food production processes. Rita also manages the monitoring and reporting frameworks to track progress against decarbonisation targets, supporting SMEs to embed sustainable practices effectively.
With a proven track record of managing product development teams that have launched over 200 innovative lines into UK retail, Rita combines her passion for food with her commitment to sustainability. Her experience includes participating in international culinary tours and events, enriching her holistic approach to food innovation and decarbonisation at NWRC.
