New Board appointed for Agri-Food
The Agri-Food Industry Skills Council is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Board of Directors.
John Baker has been appointed Chairman by the new Board and Kath Evans, who is Federal President and Secretary of the Australian Meat Industry Employees Union, was appointed Deputy Chairman. Three new Board Members have been appointed:
- Leith Boully, Chairman of the Boully Pastoral Company based at Toowoomba in Queensland
- Catherine Cooper, Chairman, Dairy Authority of South Australia and of the Fisheries Council of South Australia
- David Taylor, Chairman of Perth Marketing Authority
- Four former Board Members have been reappointed:
- Don Hayes, Secretary of the Australian Workers Union and Deputy Chairman of Rural Skills Australia
- John Hughes, Chairman of the National Meat Industry National Training Advisory Council
- Geoff Richards, President of Nursery and Garden Industry Australia and Managing Director of Richgro Garden Products in Western Australia
- Doug Stevens, National president of the National Union of Workers
Mr Baker says the Board has been reduced from fourteen members to nine and it has an excellent mix of experience and skills to guide the council's strategic directions and priorities.
"The new Board and its complementary advisory and corporate structures will ensure strengthened engagement across the agri-food industry and provide strong industry leadership in skills and workforce development," he says. "This will position the company well for its expanded role under the Government's new national policy, 'Skilling Australia for the Future'.
"Australia, and the agrifood industry in particular, is facing serious challenges in the way it attracts and retains its workforce to meet the growing impact of globalisation and the world economy, where there is excellent potential for growth but a highly competitive market place. I believe the new Board gives the council an infusion of new energy and strengthens our industry and business capability in assisting capacity building in our industry.
The new Board is determined to provide our industries and enterprises with leadership and support in order to reach out for strong outcomes and sustainability."
Visit www.agrifoodskills.net.au for more information.
