New Sheep CRC chairman Ian Wilton.

EXPERIENCED agribusiness director Ian Wilton has been appointed as chairman of the Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation’s board.

Mr Wilton was endorsed as the new Sheep CRC chairman, following endorsement at last week’s annual general meeting.

Mr Wilton was appointed on the recommendation of the Sheep CRC’s Nomination Committee and replaced Duncan Fraser whose three-year term as chairman ended last month. He has chaired the Sheep CRC’s Finance and Compliance Committee for the past two years.

Mr Wilton is based in Sydney and brings to the role extensive agribusiness and governance experience, including senior roles with Graincorp and Ridley Corporation. He currently sits on the boards of Elders and One Harvest, and chairs the MacKay’s Banana Marketing Advisory Board.

Mr Wilton said said he was looking forward to guiding the Sheep CRC through its final 18 months and ensuring the successful completion of its R&D programs to maximise the benefits available to industry.

“In particular, I’ll be working closely with the CRC’s board and executive, as well as the 41 participant organisations, to ensure new technologies are smoothly transitioned to industry organisations so that they continue to deliver benefit to industry long after the CRC closes its doors in June 2019.”

The Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation (Sheep CRC), operates as part of the Federal Department of Industry, Innovation and Science’s CRC program. It is a collaboration of more than 40 organisations from across industry, government and the commercial sector, and includes producer groups, farm advisers, universities and research organisations, meat processors and retailers.

The CRC operates three research programs: Wellbeing & Productivity; Faster Genetic Gain; and Meat Value Chain. These programs are delivering high impact new products including a range of DNA tests, the RamSelect and ASKBILL apps, and new meat quality assessments to support Meat Standards Australia.

Source: Sheep CRC.