MEAT and Livestock Australia members will be voting on three nominees as directors of MLA at the upcoming annual general meeting in Hahndorf, South Australia, on November 10.
The nominees selected by a nine-person selection committee are:
Dr Michele Allan (MLA chair and director), a food science and agribusiness specialist with extensive strategic research experience in both executive and non-executive levels in food and food related companies.
George Scott (current director of MLA) northern cattle production systems, including live export, sustainability, infrastructure, MSA and genetics specialist.
Allister Watson, a specialist in production and supply chain systems and meat retailing in Australia and New Zealand.
Current MLA director Lucinda Corrigan did not re-nominate and after nine years of service to the MLA board.
The board selection committee is made up of four independent producer representatives, three industry peak council representatives and two MLA board directors (with no voting rights). The committee interviewed a shortlist of candidates from a pool of 89 applicants.
This year, MLA encouraged applicants with extensive knowledge in strategic research and development (R&D) and portfolio analysis in the food industry, northern cattle production systems and production and supply chain systems, including an understanding of key drivers of red meat customer demand, with proven financial acumen, to apply.
According to MLA the candidates were assessed based on their skills and broad understanding of the Australian red meat and livestock industry, having strong business acumen, financial literacy, an understanding of corporate governance and a collaborative approach in making an active contribution to strategic and board discussion.
As a skills-based board, their role is to ensure appropriate performance goals for the company are set and achieved, while taking into account the interests of the industry and other stakeholders. This includes strategy development and review of governance, financial performance and risk management.
The November 10 AGM will be accompanied by a producer forum, with speakers from MLA and across the red meat and livestock industry. The forum is an opportunity for members to ask questions, meet the MLA board, learn more about how their levies are being invested and hear about MLA programs and how MLA will contribute to the future prosperity of the red meat industry.
In recent weeks, MLA members should have received levies notice packs by mail or email, which contain a formal notice for members to advise MLA what levies they paid in 2015-16.
Members should return their levies notice or complete it online by September 15 to ensure they receive their full voting entitlement.
For more information on levies notice packs call 1800 023 100 or email info@mla.com.au