Processing

Teys CEO joins new-look AMPC board

Beef Central, 22/02/2021

Teys Australia chief executive Brad Teys is one of two new high-profile directors joining the board of the Australian Meat Processor Corporation this year.

The recently-elected board features a mix of long-standing directors and new faces, which executive general manager Chris Taylor says reflects strong industry endorsement of the body’s work and direction.

New AMPC directors Brad Teys, left, and James Hardwick

AMPC is the rural research and development corporation supporting the red meat processing industry across Australia*.

The corporation functions on a three-year election cycle and all board positions were vacated late last year. Mr Taylor said the return of the majority of the previous board in 2021 was a powerful indication of support for the recently refreshed AMPC strategy and the depth of its engagement with industry.

At the same time, the board welcomed high-profile newcomers in Brad Teys and James Hardwick, whose skills and experience further amplified that of the returning board, he said.

“Last year we launched a refreshed strategic plan that is truly owned by the industry, and our task for 2021 is executing against the plan,” Mr Taylor said.

The election of Brad Teys is significant, given his role as chief executive of Teys Australia, a prominent and well-regarded participant in the sector.

Equally significant was the election of James Hardwick, from Hardwicks in Kyneton Vic, who brings an entirely different perspective as a director of such an innovative family-owned processing business.

“The board now has an even stronger mix of independent, corporate and family business experience,” Mr Taylor said.

“At the same time, the re-election of seven existing board members speaks to continuity and trust,” he said.

The newly-elected board brought a new level of industry representation to AMPC’s leadership, giving greater voice to different types of operations and helping cement the good work that has already been happening.

Under the new AMPC strategy, there is a clear focus on engaging processors of different sizes and commercial focus in relevant and valuable innovation activities. In particular, Plant Initiated Projects (PIPs) will give processors the opportunity to partner with AMPC to complete more bespoke R&D that matters to them.

“Our new strategy is a grounded approach that will help us to build trust, partner with industry and deliver value,” Mr Taylor said. “Already we’ve seen some big gains in cross-industry collaboration and connection, and we’re excited to see where 2021 takes us. We have a clear direction for the future, a strong board and genuine engagement, which is exactly where we want to be.”

Government funding for AMPC has recently been guaranteed through to 2030, in what Mr Taylor said was another sign of recognition of the value of the organisation and faith in the board.

Meet the AMPC Board

The AMPC board consists of seven processor directors and two special qualifications directors. Members elect the processor directors every two years. The chairman and deputy chair are elected by the board and the special qualifications directors are elected by the processor members of the Board.

Chairman – John Berry

John Berry

John Berry is director and head of corporate and regulatory with JBS Australia, and also a board member of JBS Australia Pty Ltd. He is also on the board of Scott Technology, a New Zealand listed robotics, technology and manufacturing company with operations globally.

He has more than 20 years of senior management experience in the Australian meat and food processing industry and holds an MBA from the University of Queensland, business management degree from the Queensland Institute of Technology and is also a Graduate and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

John was elected to the AMPC Board for an eighth term in November 2020.

Melissa Fletcher – Deputy Chair

Melissa Fletcher

Melissa Fletcher is the chief executive officer of Fletcher International Exports. As an Australian of proud indigenous descent with more than 30 years of industry experience, she represents a new generation of red meat industry leaders and brings a unique and valuable perspective to the AMPC board.

Melissa was elected to the AMPC board for her second term in November 2020.  Click here to view earlier Beef Central profile.

Bruce Rathie – Special Qualifications Director

Bruce Rathie is a professional non-executive director of nearly 20 years’ standing, having completed successful prior careers in law and finance. He holds degrees in law, commerce and business.

Bruce has been a professional Director since 2000 in roles with ASX listed and unlisted companies. He is currently a director of ASX 200 PolyNovo, ASX listed Cettire and Capricorn Society. He is also Chairman of ASX listed 4DMedical and Capricorn Mutual.

Bruce was elected to the AMPC Board for his second term in November 2020.

Leanne Heywood – Special Qualifications Director

Leanne Heywood is an experienced ASX non-executive director, Audit and Risk committee and Nominations and Remuneration committee chair with broad general management experience gained through an international career in the mining sector, including 10 years with Rio Tinto.

Leanne holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from Charles Sturt University and an MBA from the Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne. She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and CPA Australia.

Leanne was elected to the AMPC Board for her first term in December 2017.

Brad Teys – Processor Director

Brad Teys

Brad Teys has worked in the beef processing industry for 42 years, working throughout the business in various areas including livestock procurement, plant operations and sales. He has been CEO of Teys Australia since 2002 and chairman and CEO since 2019.

Brad has a Dip. Meat Tech. with Distinction from Massey University, New Zealand and an MBA with Distinction from Bond.

Brad joined the AMPC board in November 2020.

Dean Goode – Processor Director

Dean Goode

Dean Goode was appointed chief executive officer of Kilcoy Pastoral Co in 2012. He has worked for KPC for over a decade, including as general manager of operations. In 2017, he was appointed group chief executive of the rebranded group of companies, Kilcoy Global Foods, with responsibilities in Australia, US and China.

Dean holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from James Cook University.

He was elected to the AMPC Board for his third term in November 2020.

Noel Kelson – Processor Director

Noel Kelson has been involved within the Australian meat processing sector since 1971, working in government in inspection and compliance. In 1995 he moved from government service to be the founding QA Manager at Midfield Meat Group, and is now Midfield’s manager of technical and regulatory services. Noel is a serving board member of the Australian Meat Industry Council, Prime Safe Victoria and a trustee director of the Australian Meat Industry Superannuation Trust.

He was appointed to the AMPC Board on 28 April 2020.

Tom Maguire – Processor Director

Tom Maguire

Tom Maguire currently holds the position of group general manager with HW Greenham and Sons, and was previously general manager corporate services with Teys Australia. He has been involved in the Australian meat industry since 1997 and has held senior positions with the National Meat Association of Australia.

He has qualifications in Economics, Industrial Relations and Human Resources Management and completed Master of Business Administration (MBA) at University of Queensland.

Tom was elected to the AMPC board for a seventh term in December 2017.

James Hardwick – Processor Director

James Hardwick

James Hardwick is the joint owner/director of Hardwicks Meatworks Pty Ltd, a multi-species Tier One export plant in Kyneton, Victoria. Additionally, he is a joint owner/director of the Kytoy & BCM Motor Group, with five car dealerships situated in Victoria.

He has served as treasurer of the Victorian Wholesale Butchers Association since 2009 and is currently a director of MIESF Superannuation Fund.

James holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree.

He was elected to the AMPC Board for his first term in November 2020.

 

* About AMPC

The Australian Meat Processor Corporation is the rural research and development corporation supporting the red meat processing industry across Australia. AMPC’s mandate is to provide research, development and extension (RD&E) services that improve the sustainability and efficiency of the sector. Red meat processor levies are strategically invested in research, development and extension programs that are aligned to targeted marketing initiatives. These programs deliver outcomes and benefits for both the Australian red meat processing industry and the broader Australian community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. John Hall, 23/02/2021

    Wow – that is impressive. The Processors have brought together their leading businesses to ensure that their pooled research funds tie in with their company programmes. Their funds will thus be spent on practical problems and the results adopted rapidly. Perhaps MLA’s dwindling on farm research budget and its irrelevance to the commercial cattle industry would benefit from a Board shakeup.

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