AWI’s general manager operations Nigel Gosse is moving on.

AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation’s general manager of operations Nigel Gosse is moving on to take the top job at real-time livestock auction app company FarmGate Auctions.

Mr Gosse will leave AWI on August 28 to start at FarmGate Auctions on September 7.

Sheep Central has been unable to contact Mr Gosse, but FarmGate Auctions general manager Chanel Gallen said the company was excited to have him join the Sydney-based team.

Ms Gallen said FarmGate Auctions launched its app at the AgQuip Field Days 12 months ago and would hold its 22^nd livestock auction tomorrow.

“We’re really excited that we could get somebody with Nigel’s credibility to come across and lead the charge.

“He’s starting with us in a couple of weeks and taking on the title of CEO.”

AWI announced Mr Gosse’s appointment to the general manager of operations role in October 2018, with AWI CEO Stuart McCullough saying it was the result of the implementation of one of the 82 recommendations AWI review of performance and governance to strengthen employment practices.

Mr McCullough said Mr Gosse, as a fifth-generation wool grower with extensive experience in several facets of the wool industry, had been instrumental in shaping the United Kingdom and Turkey office into its current position, establishing several major and successful campaigns and projects including adidas, Woolmark Performance Challenge, Campaign for Wool and the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange with Eco Age.

Mr Gosse’s career has included stints as jackeroo, farm overseer, sheep contractor, wool technical officer, rural journalist and public relations consultant. He worked for Meat & Livestpock Ausytralia for more than seven years as business development manager for Europe and Russia and was The Woolmark Company’s country manager for the United Kingdom and Turkey for four years.

Farmgate Auctions director Guy Gallen said Mr Gosse’s appointment did not, at this stage, mean that the company would be undertaking wool marketing.

“We are going to focus on livestock, but we won’t rule it out.

“The name Farmgate Auctions is going to encompass everything, so at some stage we will be exploring everything,” he said.

“What we really wanted in a CEO was someone who was well-respected, well-connected and we wanted a family man that has plenty of contacts and plenty of experience in the rural industry, sand I think we’ve found that with Nigel.”

Mr Gosse also joins his younger brother Jock at FarmGate Auctions, who is the company’s national sales director.

Mr McCullough said he wished Mr Gosse every success in his new role and understood his decision to pursue a new challenge.

“Nigel has had a long and distinguished career at AWI in a range of senior roles.

“No decision has been made on his replacement.”