The Herefords Australia Board has today announced the appointment of Mr Michael Crowley as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Herefords Australia.
The appointment will be effective from 1 March 2023. The appointment follows the completion of Ms Lisa Sharp’s contract appointment as CEO of Herefords Australia, who will continue her association with the breed as a member of the Herefords Australia Board.
Mr Crowley has over 20 years industry experience. This includes executive and international marketing roles with Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), previous ownership of a cattle and beef marketing business and property management covering stud and commercial operations.
Chair of Herefords Australia, Ian Durkin, said it was Mr Crowley’s combination of general management experience, technical knowledge and infinity and connection with the Hereford breed and stud operations that most impressed the Board.
“Michael Crowley has a wealth of red meat industry experience. This includes comprehensive technical knowledge in areas such as genetics and eating quality, coupled with firsthand experience gained in stud and commercial operations. Michael and the Crowley family are well known amongst the Hereford community, and we are thrilled the opportunity has arisen for Michael to come in and lead the company and the breed.”
Most recently Mr Crowley held the position of General Manager, Research and Development with MLA where he was responsible for a diverse number of programs, including Livestock Genetics, Meat Standards Australia (MSA), Animal Health and Welfare, Beef Productivity, Supply Chain Innovation, Sustainability and Producer Adoption. Mr Crowley has also served as a board appointed director on the Herefords Australia board since 2021.
Herefords Australia today also announced the decision to appoint Ms Lisa Sharp to the Herefords Australia Board.
Mr Crowley’s appointment as CEO creates a vacancy in the Herefords Australia board, who under its constitution can appoint up to two directors who meet a comprehensive skill and industry-based experience selection criteria.
“Lisa has made a significant contribution to the breed over the last two years, leading long term strategy development, business planning, excellence in corporate governance and breed marketing and promotion. Changes implemented under Lisa’s leadership have and will make a long-term difference to the company’s success” said Chair of Herefords Australia, Ian Durkin.
“Specifically, I like to acknowledge Lisa’s work in streamlining systems and processes that allowed for the introduction of a single monthly invoice, the development of the Herefords Australia 5-year plan, growth in revenue from services and breed marketing presence and effectiveness – which saw breed share of media increase significantly in the last year. Lisa has also advocated on behalf of members, be that to government during COVID for continuation of on property sales or when negotiating with suppliers to get the best value for members, such as no increases in DNA pricing this year.
With her knowledge of the company and the needs of members, and her experience as a non-executive director, Lisa will compliment and strengthen the Herefords Australia Board and we are pleased the association will continue.’”
“Succession planning has been a focus in recent years, and it is immensely satisfying that this has seen Herefords Australia attract and retain individuals the calibre of Michael Crowley and Lisa Sharp, who are widely recognised in the industry for their respective talents. I congratulate both on their appointments and look forward to realising our plans to drive the growth and prosperity of the Hereford breed” said Chair, Ian Durkin.
Mr Crowley commences his position as CEO of Herefords Australia 1 March 2023 and will be based in Armidale NSW. Ms Sharp will remain the CEO until that time and will commence her role as a director of Herefords Australia in March 2023.
About Herefords Australia
Herefords Australia Ltd (HAL) is one of Australia’s largest beef breed organisations with a mission to produce high quality beef for the Australian beef industry from Hereford based cattle.
With a membership of approximately 1500, HAL provides a range of services to seedstock operators and commercial producers across the nation. These services include animal records and registry, DNA testing, BREEDPLAN services and EBVs, and marketing and promotional support. The company also undertakes R&D and extension activities to enhance breed genetic performance.
About Michael Crowley
Mr Crowley has over 20 years red meat industry experience. This includes executive roles with Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), previous ownership of a cattle and beef marketing business and property management across stud and commercial operations.
Mr Crowley most recently held the position of General Manager, Research and Development with MLA where he was responsible for a diverse number of programs, including Livestock Genetics, Meat Standards Australia (MSA), Animal Health and Welfare, Beef Productivity, Supply Chain Innovation, Sustainability and Producer Adoption.
During his tenure at MLA Mr Crowley was responsible for Livestock Genetics and MSA and has been credited with leading programs that have delivered significant benefits to industry. These include the development of the National Livestock Genetics Consortium – attracting $100m in R&D investment – and premiums delivered through MSA, calculated to be $172m in the 19/20 fiscal year.
Mr Crowley also holds tertiary qualifications in agriculture and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
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.
Appointed directors are appointed by the board of directors. The board of directors must only appoint a director who has relevant skills and experience which complement or enhance the skill and experience base of the current directors. The appointed directors must also meet one of the below criteria:
- Be registered member of a professional association or society recognised within a jurisdiction of Australia and who has at least 6 ears professional years standing; or
- Have at least 6 years’ experience at senior executive level or board level of an organisation; or
- Be a person with appropriate relevant qualifications or is held in high esteem in the industry.
The current Herefords Australia Board comprises:
- Ian Durkin (Chair)
- Marc Greening (Deputy Chair)
- Mark Baker (Company Secretary)
- Sam Becker
- Sam Broinowski
- Michael Crowley
- Mark Duthie
- Annie Pumpa
- Alex Sparkes
Michael Crowley
Lisa Sharp
