Hort Innovation has appointed Brett Fifield as its new CEO, following Matt Brand’s resignation.
Mr Fifield joins Hort Innovation on April 26 from his current role as the Deputy Director General, Infrastructure, Investment and Business Development, and member of the Executive Leadership Team, at the NSW Department of Primary Industries in Orange.
Hort Innovation Chair Julie Bird says the Board is delighted to have a candidate of Mr Fifield’s calibre and diverse experience as the new CEO.
“With a strong pool of qualified candidates and a competitive recruitment process, the Board is confident that Brett is the perfect choice to take Hort Innovation to the next phase of strategic development, and enhanced culture and stakeholder experience,” she says.
“Brett’s leadership, and broad industry expertise across R&D, stakeholder engagement and innovation will be an asset to lead Hort Innovation toward the government’s Ag2030 vision of growing agriculture to $100 billion in value.”
Having grown up on a mixed farm near Wagga Wagga and following an early career as a journalist, Mr Fifield has more than 20 years’ experience in agriculture. This includes 10 years in senior executive roles working across agriculture, biosecurity, food safety, fisheries, policy and cabinet, business performance, communications and engagement.
Mr Fifield says he is thrilled to be joining the Hort Innovation team and looks forward to working closely with, and supporting, the horticulture industry.
“Horticulture’s great diversity comes with great opportunity; and it will be a privilege to work across the breadth of Australian horticulture,” he says.
“In this rapidly changing world, Hort Innovation’s role is more important than ever and so is its commitment to innovation and collaboration.
“We have a firm responsibility to deliver real impact for growers and those across the supply chain. And, as a major RDC, our work in partnership with industry will be pivotal to Australian horticulture’s success.”
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