CHATSWOOD, AUSTRALIA — Andrew Young, a longtime leader in the Australian agribusiness sector, has been appointed chairperson of Grain Australia, the organization announced on Oct. 26.
Young replaces inaugural chairperson Terry Enright who stepped down from the board of directors following Grains Australia’s annual general meeting this week, having served as chairperson since Grains Australia’s inception in 2020.
Grains Australia, an initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corp. (GRDC), is responsible for vital industry services and functions that improve the industry’s competitiveness and profitability.
John Woods, chair of the GRDC, welcomed the appointment of Young, who has more than 25 years of experience in senior executive and director roles in leading agribusinesses based in Australia and Southeast Asia.
“Andrew has served with distinction on the board since its inception and acted as interim chief executive officer in 2022 — collaboratively bringing to life much of the early structure, team, Commodity Councils and Grains Australia programs,” Woods said. “In his board and CEO roles, he has demonstrated the leadership qualities required to ensure that Grains Australia continues to enhance the profitability and competitiveness of Australian grain into the future.”
Young is a non-executive chairperson of grain export business Plum Grove and chairperson of Westpork, Western Australia’s largest pork producer and its joint venture processing and food service company Dardanup Butchering Co. He is a non-executive director of the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) and is represented on the Strategic Review Group for Grains Australia and AEGIC.
Woods also noted the appointment of Andrew Earle, managing partner of the farming operation Bullawarrie, to the Grains Australia board of directors. Earle has spent three years on the Grains Australia Advisory Committee and served for 10 years on the Grain Producers Australia Board, including as deputy chairperson.
