Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has announced a new chair to replace Alan Beckett who is retiring at next week’s annual general meeeting in Tamworth.

Current director John Lloyd has been elected as the Chair of MLA, effective following the upcoming MLA Annual General Meeting on November 20.

Mr Lloyd was elected to MLA’s Board as a Director in 2019 and takes over the Chair role from Alan Beckett, who has been MLA’s Chair since 2019 and a Director since 2014.

Mr Lloyd, with his family, runs a small agricultural enterprise at Borenore near Orange NSW.

His profile on the MLA website says he has a deep understanding of red meat industry dynamics, knowledge and connections across the agri-food ecosystem including the RDC sector, government and research providers.

Mr Lloyd has led and created new funding models that have catered for longer-term strategic issues such as export markets, biosecurity, health and nutrition, pollination, major pests, intensive farming systems and urban greening as well as accessing broader and non-traditional sources of investment.

He is the former CEO of Horticulture Innovation Australia/HAL, leading both organisations over a nine-year period of significant growth, change and transition. Mr Lloyd is a Council Member of Charles Sturt University, a director of Menari Business Solutions Pty Ltd, Elders Limited and Meat & Livestock Australia.

Mr Lloyd is also Chair of the Audit, Finance & Risk Committee.

His previous roles have included senior leadership positions including Managing Director of Case IH/New Holland ANZ; General Manager of Commercial Incitec Pivot; General Manager of Merchandise Wesfarmers Dalgety and director of Wine Australia.

Mr Beckett congratulated Mr Lloyd on his election as Chair, which came at a critical time for the organisation as it approaches a new five-year Strategic Plan.

“It has been an honour represent red meat producers and levy payers as a member of MLA’s board and as Chair,” Mr Beckett said.

“I congratulate John and wish him the best as he starts a new leadership chapter for MLA, supported by an exceptionally talented Board, Management team, staff, and industry,” Mr Beckett said.