Peak woolgrower representative body, WoolProducers Australia (WoolProducers) is calling on all Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) shareholders to vote in this year’s director elections and not leave proxies undirected.
WoolProducers have carefully considered the seven candidates and are supporting the recommendation of the Board Nomination Committee (BNC), being incumbents Mr Jock Laurie, Mr Don Macdonald and new candidates Ms Georgia Hack and Mr Steven Read, while also asking registered shareholders to consider Mr Michael Field.
WoolProducers President Mr Ed Storey said, “In determining this recommendation WoolProducers undertook a rigorous process of seeking the views of each of the seven candidates on a range of issues currently affecting industry”.
“We were very pleased to see the candidate responses and we believe our industry is fortunate to have such a diverse field of quality candidates that have put themselves forward for election.” Mr Storey said.
In considering the suitability of candidates, WoolProducers took a principled and merit-based approach to this decision, with consideration given to the opportunity for some board renewal, supply-chain knowledge, corporate governance and business acumen skills.
Mr Storey said. “WoolProducers believes that all of these recommended candidates offer different perspectives and skills that will help position the industry into the future”.
“In a post-pandemic world, we need to have an agile and responsive Board to take our industry forward, not get bogged down in history and domestic politics whilst also operating in an accountable and transparent manner.” Mr Storey said.
Three vacancies exist for the board and the AWI director elections are an opportunity for shareholders to have their say on who they think will best serve the wool industry in the challenging and evolving environment that the industry is currently operating in.
Mr Storey said, “While production knowledge is an essential skill to have on the board of AWI, WoolProducers believes that existing directors of AWI adequately address these requirements.”
“We would like to see some board renewal to ensure that there is appropriate knowledge of the other important facets or our global supply chain and believe that we can work constructively with the successful candidates of our recommended nominees”. Mr Storey said.
WoolProducers thanks all candidates, who are obviously passionate about the Australian wool industry, for putting their name forward for the AWI director election and wish them every success.
If registered shareholders have not received the ballot papers by now, please contact Link Marketing Services on 1800 990 363.
ENDS
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WoolProducers Australia contacts:
Jo Hall, CEO
02 6110 2067
Ed Storey, President
0438 309 500
About WoolProducers’ Australia
WoolProducers plays a critical role in working closely with companies and entities funded by woolgrower funds including compulsory levies or fees for service.
Its mission is to develop constructive and profitable outcomes for woolgrowers nationally.
The agency is responsible for appointing a director to each of the Australian Wool Exchange and the Australia Wool Testing Authority, promoting good corporate governance and ensuring that the interests of growers are met.
WoolProducers maintains a working relationship with Australian Wool Innovation as the voice of woolgrower shareholders. It aims to contribute to AWI’s programs for the benefit of growers, promoting responsible use of levy funds and ensuring good corporate governance.
WoolProducers is the sole wool industry member of Animal Health Australia, and as such, carries a significant responsibility for decision making on behalf of the industry in the event of an emergency animal disease outbreak.
As the only wool grower organisation with membership of the National Farmers’ Federation, WoolProducers is responsible for providing key policy advice on behalf of our members, and other wool growers, to Australia’s peak farm body.
WoolProducers also works closely with the Federal Government Departments on key issues such as animal health and welfare, biosecurity, pest management control, natural resource management, drought preparedness, emergency animal disease outbreak preparedness and industry development, including research, trade and logistics.