Herefords Australia Ltd (HAL) has announced the appointment of Mr Ian Durkin as Chairman of the Herefords Australia Board.
In line with past practice, all Herefords Australia Board positions are declared open in the first board meeting after the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Both Trish Worth and Ian Durkin were nominated for the position of Chairman, with Ian Durkin duly elected by HAL directors.
Ian was first elected to the Board of Herefords Australia in May 2020 and has held the position of Member Liaison Representative. In this position, Ian sought to strengthen communication between members to the board of directors helping to ensure the needs of members are known across the company. Ian owns and manages a mixed farming operation near Coolatai in northern NSW with his wife Shelley and three children. Ian grew up with Hereford cattle and has a fierce passion to grow the breed.
“The position of chairman is an important one, but I believe it is the combination of the diverse skills and experience of all directors that makes for an effective board. I will be drawing on this team to ensure we have sound policies in place to support the advancement of the breed and good governance in place to strengthen the company.
I also understand members want to better understand the strategic direction for the breed. I look forward to the development of the next plan and the role the board plays in monitoring progress and reporting to members outcomes of our investments and activities,” Mr Durkin said.
Ian replaces the Hon. Trish Worth who served as Chairman for the past 12 months.
Trish played a key role in helping to establish the current board, supporting new directors through a transition period and guiding management and staff through a time of change. Trish continues her tenure as Herefords Australia director and has been appointed to the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee where the Committee will greatly benefit from her experience.
In other HAL board appointments, Geoff Birchnell was elected as Member Liaison Representative and Michael Crowley elected to the Marketing Committee.
About the Herefords Australia Board.
In accordance with sections 42 and 43 of the Herefords Australia constitution, the company must have at least 3 and no more than 10 directors of which 8 are to be elected directors, and up to 2 directors who may be appointed by the Board.
Elected directors are a member of the company (or a representative of a member of the company), who are nominated by 2 other members (or representatives of members) entitled to vote.
The 2021 Herefords Australia Board comprises:
- Ian Durkin (Chairman)
- Marc Greening (Deputy Chair)
- Mark Baker (Company Secretary)
- Sam Becker
- Geoff Birchnell
- Michael Crowley
- Ian Durkin
- Mark Duthie
- Alex Sparkes
- Hon. Trish Worth