RED meat industry regulator AusMeat announced today that long-serving chief executive officer Ian King will retire from the company during 2021.
Mr King has led AusMeat’s operations almost since the body’s inception, having left the New Zealand meat processing industry to become its second chief executive officer back in 1992.
AusMeat chairman Allan Bloxsom said Mr King’s retirement would mark the end of an era – not only for AusMeat, but for Australian food industries in general, particularly the red meat industry.
“Since he joined AusMeat almost 30 years ago, Mr King’s leadership, clear thinking and dedication has been admired by all those he has worked with in Australia and around the world. We are very thankful for what he has done,” Mr Bloxsom said.
“His ability to maintain the right relationships with industry and government, and his vigilant protection of AusMeat’s mission has resulted in worldwide admiration for the organisation and the AusMeat Language, and an era of unmatched trust in the integrity of the processes that deliver food from the farm to the consumer,” he said.
“Ian has much to be proud of, and it will be a tall order for us to find his replacement.”
Mr. Bloxsom said the board would now commence recruitment for a new chief executive officer.
“With the help of independent consultants, we are mounting an extensive search and recruitment campaign. In addition, Ian has generously agreed to stay on and help bring the new CEO up to speed. We believe it will take about six months to find the right person and transition them into the AusMeat role,” he said.
About AusMeat:
AusMeat Ltd is an industry-owned company set up in 1998 as part of a major restructure of Australia’s red meat industry bodies. The business is a joint venture limited by guarantee between the Australian Meat Processor Corporation and Meat & Livestock Australia under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
The principal objectives of the business are:
- Management of red meat trade descriptions. Known as the AusMeat Language, this description system is managed by the Australian Meat Industry Language and Standards Committee (AMILSC) and administered by AusMeat. The AusMeat Language is a standard way of describing meat products and has been adopted throughout the Australian meat industry to provide industry and retail customers alike with an accurate way of identifying and ordering meat products.
- AusMeat national accreditation standards. The standards ensure that processors’ quality systems are independently audited and cover quality assurance procedures throughout every step of the process, from handling, storage, processing and packaging through to labelling and description of meat products. This ensures meat products are produced by trained staff and monitored throughout production by accredited personnel. The standards are essential to the international reputation and integrity of Australia’s red meat export market.
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Ian, congratulations on a career that has steered our meat and livestock industries in a forward and positive position. Without your doggedness and preparedness to argue for what needs to be done – it would not have happened and our industry would not be in a global leadership role for standards and language. Enjoy the rain and your cows.
Under your stewardship the Australian meat industry has standards in place that are the world class. Thank you for your contribution to the industry and your assistance to me over the years. All the best for the future
Well done Ian. You have been a tower of integrity for so long.
Stay fit.