News

Three seats open for contest on MLA board

Jon Condon, May 1, 2015

APPLICATIONS are being sought for three non-executive directors to be appointed to the Meat & Livestock Australia board at this year’s annual general meeting.

The MLA board is skills-based, which requires a range of expertise in corporate governance, business management, finance, livestock production and supply chain value adding, international marketing and research and development.

mla logoThe board’s role is to provide direction to the management of the producer-owned service delivery company, ensuring that appropriate performance goals are set and achieved, risk is properly managed, and the interests of industry stakeholders are taken into account. This includes strategy development and review of governance, financial performance and risk management.

One of the three board positions to be contested at this year’s AGM (Brisbane, Tuesday November 10) is that of Dr Greg Harper, who left the board prematurely in February due to time commitments required in his new role as executive director of agriculture R&D with Victoria’s Department of Economic Dev elopement, Jobs, Transport and Resources.

Beef Central’s records show that the other two board members whose positons fall due for re-election this year, after three-year terms, are those of John McKillop and Peter Trefort. Both have the option to re-nominate for their seat to be considered among other candidates for another term, or to move on.

The MLA board selection committee is under no obligation to simply seek identical skills when board positions fall due, but instead provide guidance on the ‘most desirable’ skills-set required to serve the board’s purposes for the next three years.

As a result, this year’s applications are sought from prospective candidates across the industry who have skills and experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • Extensive Western Australian livestock industry knowledge, with a focus on sheep
  • Extensive experience in value-adding and innovation post farm gate
  • Strong domestic, global strategic marketing and fast-moving consumer goods experience with proven financial acumen.

Candidates with other specialist skill sets are also encouraged to apply, while recognising that all applicants should possess the following:

  • Broad understanding of the Australian red meat and livestock industry
  • Strong business acumen, including sound financial literacy and an understanding of corporate governance
  • Well-developed communication skills, with a collaborative approach in making an active contribution to strategic and board discussion.

Nominees will be subject to a thorough selection process, where the selection committee, assisted by an external board recruitment consultant, considers nominations, conducts interviews and then recommends candidates for election to the MLA board. They are then put forward to the AGM for endorsement by MLA members.

The selection committee this year is chaired by Don Mackay. The committee comprises three directly-elected producer members of MLA, three members appointed by the producer peak councils and two existing MLA directors who are not standing for election this year.

Following amendments to MLA’s constitution at last year’s AGM, the MLA directors are excluded from voting in the process.

The closing date for this year’s board seat applications is 5 June.

 

 

 

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