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Three directors sought, as MLA 2017 board selection process gets started

Jon Condon, 02/05/2017

EXPERTISE in northern cattle production systems, sheepmeat production systems and financial, audit and risk framework oversight are the core skills being sought as Meat & Livestock Australia seeks to elect three board-members later this year.

mlablockw-namergbThe six-month selection process will conclude with endorsement of the candidates by member vote at MLA’s annual general meeting in Alice Springs in November.

Advertisements to appear in the weekend press, and on Beef and Sheep Central from Monday, will call for nominations for three non-executive director positions on the MLA board.

MLA’s is a skills-based board currently comprising 10 directors:  nine non-executives and the managing director, Richard Norton. The MLA constitution requires three non-executive directors to retire each year. Appointments are for a period of three years, with retiring directors able to nominate for re-election.

Directors known to be completing their current three-year terms in November include northern beef producer Geoff Maynard, southern sheepmeat producer Chris Mirams, and audit and corporate services professional and Victorian beef producer, Alan Beckett.

All three have the option to stand for another three-year term if they so choose, but in doing so would still have to go before the board selection committee, along with other nominees, for endorsement.

The board selection committee is at liberty to seek skills in board members where it sees greatest need at the time, meaning the described skill sets may change from year to year.

For board members to be elected later this year, the selection committee is seeking candidates with expertise in:

Australian beef production – including demonstrated knowledge and/or experience of northern production systems and knowledge and experience in one or more of the following: pasture management, genetics and nutrition; an understanding of Research Development & Extension; and emerging technologies and their application and implementation.

Australian sheepmeat production – including demonstrated knowledge and/or experience in diverse production systems and knowledge and experience in one or more of the following: pasture management, genetics and nutrition; an understanding of Research Development & Extension; emerging technologies and their application and implementation.

Financial, audit and risk framework oversight – with demonstrated knowledge and experience in and an understanding of issues relevant to the following: Australian operations; global operations; and compliance with statutory obligations under the Corporations Act and under the Federal Government funding arrangements.

The selection committee makes the point, however, that candidates with other specialist skill-sets are also encouraged to apply. All applicants should possess the following:

  • A broad understanding of the Australian red meat and livestock industry
  • Strong business acumen, sound financial literacy and corporate governance
  • Well-developed communication skills, with a collaborative approach in making an active contribution to strategic and board discussion
  • An understanding of adaptive capacity, change management and adoption in relation to social, environmental and financial factors.

Board nominations will close on Friday 2 June, after which the selection committee will meet in July to finalise a short-list of candidates, for interview in August. The selection committee will then put forward its three chosen candidates, for endorsement (or rejection, as the case may be) by MLA producer members at the annual general meeting being held in Alice Springs in November.

Historically, calls for MLA board nomination have attracted more than 100 candidates, drawn from a wide cross-section of industry.

The MLA board’s role is to ensure appropriate performance goals are set and achieved and ensure risk is appropriately managed, while taking into account the interests of the industry and other stakeholders. Board responsibility includes strategic development and review of the company’s governance, financial performance and risk management.

  • For further information and an information pack outlining the board-member application process, click here.

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