CropLife Australia announces new Board leadership

National peak industry organisation for Australia’s plant science sector, CropLife Australia, today announced its new Board of Directors leadership team following its Annual General Meeting.

Ms Parvana Wali, Head of Agricultural Solutions for Australia and New Zealand, BASF Australia, is the new President & Chair of the Board of Directors of CropLife Australia. Ms Wali assumes the presidency from Mr Warren Inwood. Mr Inwood served on the Board for four years, with the final two as President.

Ms Wali will be joined on CropLife’s Executive by:

• Mr David Van Ryswyk, Country Head and Managing Director ANZ, Syngenta Australia, as Vice President (Crop Protection and Stewardship)
• Mr Tony May, Head of Crop Protection Australia and New Zealand, Bayer CropScience, as Vice President (Crop Biotechnology)
• Mr Peter O’Keeffe, Commercial General Manager, Nufarm Australia Limited, as Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee

In addition to the Executive, the following will serve as Directors on the CropLife Australia Board for 2026-27:

• Mr Michael Caldwall, Sub-Regional Head, Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, UPL Limited
• Mr Adrian Capogreco, Managing Director, Nutrien Ag Solutions
• Mr Kent Davies, Asia Pacific Marketing and Commercial Effectiveness Leader, Australia-NZ & Japan-Korea, Corteva Agriscience Australia
• Mr David Elmouttie, Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand, FMC Australasia
• Mr Nick Fazekas, Divisional CEO, Elders Crop Protection, Elders Limited
• Mr Murray Hern, Managing Director, Sumitomo Chemical Australia
• Mr Mark Herron, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Agribusiness (Accensi)
• Mr Damien Ryan, Head of Asia Pacific, Sipcam Pacific Australia
• Mr Steven Scott, Chief Executive Officer, Adama Australia

The two Board-appointed Directors for 2026-27 are:

• Ms Thea Dickinson, Grocery Lead (Woolworths & Coles), Mars Australia
• Ms Kate Stone, Managing Director, Head of Corporate Finance, Bank of America

Mr Mark Herron will continue as Chair of the Agsafe Board, CropLife Australia’s not-for-profit stewardship organisation.

The Executive and Board will continue to guide strategic policy and goals at CropLife Australia, implemented by Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Cossey, and the expert team in the Secretariat.

Mr Cossey thanked outgoing President Mr Inwood for his leadership. “Warren’s contribution to CropLife Australia has been significant. His steady leadership and dedication to the plant science industry have strengthened the organisation. On behalf of the Board and staff, I thank him for his service and wish him the best for the future. The CropLife Australia Board also bestowed Life Membership on Warren in recognition of his contribution to the organisation and the industry.”

Mr Cossey also acknowledged Mr Damien Ryan, Head of Asia Pacific, Sipcam Pacific Australia, who finished his term as Vice President (Crop Protection and Stewardship). “Damien has been CropLife’s longest serving Vice President, and was previously Chair of Agsafe, and has been one of the most significant contributors to the national peak body and the broader plant science sector. Damien is one of the most highly regarded thought leaders in our industry, and I am very pleased that he has agreed to continue to serve on the Board of Directors.

“These appointments reflect CropLife’s commitment to ensuring a diversity of perspectives and experience; they contribute to the long-term strategic management of the organisation. We are fortunate to have such outstanding expertise on our Board of Directors. I congratulate Ms Wali on her appointment and thank her for her commitment to this important role,” Mr Cossey said.

CropLife members are at the forefront of agricultural innovation, delivering the latest technologies and products to help Australian farmers improve productivity, profitability and sustainability. Together with CropLife’s industry-leading stewardship programs, these innovations support Australian farmers in maintaining their position among the best in the world.

“I congratulate the Executive and Board on their appointments and thank them for their commitment to these important roles,” Mr Cossey concluded.

ENDS