Queensland's peak broadacre farming representative group AgForce has announced the appointment of Charles Burke as its new chief executive officer.

A beef producer with cattle holdings near Esk in South East Queensland, Mr Burke holds a Bachelor of Business and has a long association with the rural sector and agricultural policy. 

He also has key experience within AgForce itself having held the position of Vice President, Treasurer, State Councillor, Chair of the AgForce events committee, member of the AgForce Executive and Chair of the Audit and Compliance Committee.

Mr Burke has held a number of positions with the National Farmers Federation, including Vice President and Director of NFF Limited.  He is a company director of Austsafe Super and has had similar positions with National Food Industry Strategy Limited.  He was also Deputy Chair of the Agriculture and Food Policy Reference Group and served as a Director of the Australian Made Australian Grown Campaign for five years.

Since the beginning of 2011 Mr Burke has held roles with the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, or DEEDI as it was formerly known, including Acting Director of Plant Industries, Director of Agriculture and Sustainability and Director of Sustainable Agriculture.

Mr Burke said he was delighted to be joining AgForce as its CEO.

‘The organisation is well known for being professional and progressive, and I am very much looking forward to building on that reputation and strengthening its credentials,’ he said.

‘Broadacre agriculture in Queensland, like any other business, is faced with many challenges which can also present opportunities.

‘I am excited at the prospect of guiding AgForce, and its members, through these many challenges together with ensuring that we do everything possible to create an environment which allows us to build on the many opportunities.’

Source: AgForce Qld