FORMER head of Woolworths’ Greenstock red meat supply chain business Anna Speer has taken up a new position as chief executive officer with Western Australian-based Wagyu supply chain, Stone Axe Pastoral.

As reported last month on Beef Central, Ms Speer has departed Woolworths after four years heading the new Greenstock division, responsible for Woolworths’ retail red meat requirements as well as exports.

Anna Speer, former CEO of Woolworths Greenstock has taken a new position as Stone Axe Pastoral CEO

Her departure came after the $3.2 billion turnover Greenstock division was rolled back into the supermarkets business under a simplifying/streamlining process announced in February by Woolworths group CEO Amanda Bardwell.

During its half-year results announcement, Woolworths Group announced a broad restructure of its food leadership team and organisational structure that explained Ms Speer’s departure.

The Woolworths Retail division now encompasses Woolworths Supermarkets, Greenstock (the company’s previously independent red meat supply chain business), Metro convenience stores and Woolworths Food Co Retail (Own Brand products).

It was widely anticipated that Ms Speer would move into a new industry role promptly.

Ms Speer has had considerable earlier exposure to the Wagyu industry via her term as chief operating officer at the Australian Agricultural Co, between 2018 and 2021, after leaving her former role as CEO of AuctionsPlus.

She takes over in her new Stone Axe role from 14 September.

Stone Axe in February announced that Scott Richardson was to finished up as managing director, after eight years in the role. He has remained in a custodial role until Anna Speer takes up her appointment. Mr Richardson served for eight years in the role, having previously worked for Hancock Agriculture’s 2GR Wagyu business. He will remain as a Stone Axe director. (editor’s comment: this paragraph has been adjusted with new information since this item was first published.)

Under a separate move, Stone Axe has been recruiting via Beef Central’s AgJobs Central recruitment platform for a chief operating officer recently, evidently to service under new CEO Anna Speer. Click here to view job listing.

The COO job description says the successful candidate will play a critical leadership role in overseeing the daily operations of Stone Axe’s national Wagyu cattle business, including breeding, herd health, feedlot management, genetics, and meat production.

“The COO will work closely with the CEO and the executive team to develop and execute strategic initiatives that will drive operational efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. This will include hands-on operational leadership, strategy execution, financial management, technology integration and sustainability & quality assurance,” the job ad says.

“Anna returns to her roots in premium beef to take the helm of Australia’s leading ultra-premium Wagyu business,” Stone Axe said in a statement provided to Beef Central this afternoon.

“With a career spanning more than two decades in agriculture, agritech and red meat, Anna is known for building high-performance teams and leading business transformation across complex supply chains,” the statement said.

“You never forget your first Wagyu experience — I’m excited to be stepping back into the luxury beef space,” Ms Speer said.

“Stone Axe is globally recognised for its quality, innovation, and vertically integrated Wagyu supply chain. I’m looking forward to working with the talented team to build on its already strong foundations, market leading position and lead the next phase of growth.”

Stone Axe Pastoral is a vertically integrated business, producing Fullblood, and Crossbred Wagyu across Western Australia and NSW.

The business was established in 2014, based on elite bloodlines provided by the Walker family, rapidly expanding through Fullblood herd acquisition and internal breeding capacity, plus select property acquisition. The company secured the Moyhu Wagyu herd in 2015, purchasing the Moyhu property aggregation south of Wangaratta, Victoria in 2023.    With operations across genetics, breeding, backgrounding, finishing and processing, the business supplies ultra-premium Wagyu to discerning customers in Australia and around the world.

Stone Axe also entered into a number of lease deals to accommodate its growing Wagyu breeding herd. In 2018 it entered into a lease with Rural Funds Management for high-quality NSW properties Dyamberin and Woodburn, located near Wongwibinda. In 2019 it entered into another lease with RFM on showcase Victorian property Cobungra Station, and purchased Cobungra’s Fulblood Wagyu and commercial EU accredited beef herd.

Five years ago Stone Axe bought a 50pc stake in the 15,000 head Yarranbrook feedlot near Warwick in southern Queensland.

Now controlling 17 breeding and backgrounding properties stretching from Western Australia all the way to Queensland, Stone Axe is said to be driven by heavy investment from a Sydney-based private equity firm.

Brad Mytton, Partner at Roc Partners, which has a controlling shareholding in Stone Axe Pastoral, welcomed the appointment.

“We’re thrilled to have Anna lead Stone Axe at this pivotal time. Following a period of rapid growth, the business is now positioned to consolidate its market-leading position and continue to thrive for customers, staff and shareholders. Anna’s leadership, deep industry knowledge and proven track record make her the ideal choice to take the business forward.”

Mr Mytton also acknowledged outgoing Managing Director Scott Richardson:

“On behalf of the board, I want to sincerely thank Scott for his leadership over the past eight years. Scott has played a pivotal role in taking Stone Axe from strength to strength and leaves a legacy of excellence and growth. We’re pleased Scott will continue contributing to the business in his new role as a non-executive director of the company.”

Stone Axe won back-to-back Australian Wagyu Association branded beef competition grand championship titles in 2020 and 2021, and has earned numerous Gold Medals in the annual World Steak Challenge held in the UK.