The Hort Innovation Board has appointed Matt Brand as the Rural Research and Development Corporation’s new Chief Executive Officer. Mr Brand will take office in early September 2018.
Mr Brand brings a wealth of experience, most recently from his previous role as the long-term CEO of NSW Farmers, Australia’s largest state farmer organisation. In this role, he drove a strategic, structural and cultural change agenda within NSW Farmers, since he took the position in late October, 2010.
He has also held senior marketing, commercial and sponsorship roles in the ‘fast-moving consumer goods’ industry and professional sport, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Hort Innovation Chairman Selwyn Snell said Mr Brand was a formidable choice based on his long-standing commitment to Australian agriculture and his qualifications across agriculture science and marketing.
“Mr Brand has a solid track record of strong agricultural organisational leadership and driving a strategic change agenda - these attributes made Mr Brand an excellent choice to lead Hort Innovation into the next phase of its exciting future,” he said.
“Mr Brand has made an outstanding contribution while heading up NSW Farmers, repositioning the company to reflect a more modern-day approach to a member-based organisation.
"I look forward to welcoming him formally to the role when he takes office early in September this year."
Mr Brand succeeds CEO John Lloyd, who led the company through a challenging yet successful transition from the previous Horticulture Australia Limited to Hort Innovation in 2014.
For more information
Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd
Level 8, 1 Chifley Square NSW 2000 Australia
T: 61 2 8295 2300
F: 61 2 8295 2399