6 March 2024
CropLife Australia today announced that Mr Warren Inwood, Managing Director for Bayer Crop Sciences Australia and New Zealand, has been elected as the new President of CropLife Australia, the national peak industry body for Australia’s plant science industry. He succeeds Mr Paul Luxton, who has resigned from the Board to take up a new global position with Syngenta, after extensive service to CropLife Australia spanning more than a decade.
Mr Inwood brings over 30 years of knowledge and extensive industry experience to this important leadership position with CropLife. Mr Inwood has been a Board Member of CropLife Australia for several years and held the position of Vice-President of Crop Biotechnology.
“Warren’s passion for agriculture, the plant science sector and extensive industry experience will be extremely valuable in his new leadership role as CropLife Australia continues to advocate on behalf of the Australian plant science industry,” said Mr Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia.
Mr Inwood said he was looking forward to his term as President. “CropLife’s advocacy will continue to focus on critical issues for the plant science industry and agriculture more broadly, ensuring important crop protection and crop biotechnology innovations make it to Australia’s farmers so that they can farm more productively and sustainably.
“Importantly, CropLife will continue to strengthen and grow the industry’s suite of award-winning stewardship programs that ensure the highest quality and best-practice use of these crucial tools, which really sets its members products apart from the rest. I am excited about supporting and promoting CropLife’s world-leading initiatives over the coming years and strengthening the collaborative, strong and effective advocacy CropLife Australia is known for”, said Mr Inwood.
Mr Inwood thanked outgoing President Luxton for his exceptional leadership and continued support of the plant science industry. “Paul’s contributions to CropLife are immeasurable and on behalf of the Board and the staff of CropLife Australia, I want to thank him for being a strong leader. We wish him the very best in his new role.”
Mr Cossey also welcomed Mr Kelly Freeman, Managing Director of Nutrien, who has been appointed to fill the casual vacancy on the Board from Mr Luxton’s departure. Mr Freeman brings a wealth of industry experience, both from Australia and internationally, to the Board and is a recognised thought leader in global agriculture.
Mr Cossey also announced the appointment of two new independent external Directors to the Board of CropLife Australia, Ms Kate Stone and Ms Thea Dickinson.
“Kate Stone is currently Managing Director, Head of Consumer, Retail and Healthcare at a global investment bank. Kate has extensive experience within the corporate investment banking sector and brings a wealth of financial acumen to the role.
“Thea Dickinson is currently Category Lead – Grocery Channels for Mars Australia and brings strong experience with respect to marketing and product strategy within the retail sector.
“The new appointments are part of CropLife’s commitment to ensuring a diversity of perspectives and experience contribute to the long-term strategic management of the organisation. We are thrilled to have such outstanding expertise in our Executive and Board of Directors.
“The strategic planning, advice and guidance of these highly experienced individuals will ensure CropLife Australia remains a leading peak industry organisation enabling the nation’s plant science industry to support and underpin Australian farming productivity, profitability, and sustainability. I congratulate the new President and Directors on their appointments and thank them for their commitment to these important roles,” Mr Cossey concluded.
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