Directors of the AWI Board
The Board of AWI is comprised of a range of individuals whose talents and expertise provide a focused strategic direction for AWI and ensure our responsibilities to Australian woolgrowers.
Mr Brian P van Rooyen, Chairman
Mr van Rooyen is currently Chairman of Australian Country Spinners Pty Ltd. He is a Director of the Australian Wool Testing Authority Ltd and Power Farming New Zealand Ltd. Mr van Rooyen is a former Director of Visionglow Global Ltd, New Zealand Wool Testing Authority Ltd, Norwellan Textiles Ltd, Woolstock Australia Ltd and Bruck Textiles Pty Ltd. He is a past President of the Australian Wool Processors Council and a past member of the CSIRO Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Sector Advisory Committee.
Special responsibilities:
- Chairman of AWI
- Finance & Audit Committee member
- Remuneration & Appointments Committee member
Dr Chris J Abell Dipl.Mech.Eng., BE (Hons), Ph.D.
Dr Abell is currently a non-executive Director of Saab Systems Pty Ltd and Pacific Marine Batteries Pty Ltd. Dr Abell is a former Director of Vision Systems Ltd (1986 to 2001) and a former Chairman of LADS Corporation Ltd (1992 to 2001). He is also a former Director of Woolstock Australia Ltd (1999 to 2002). He is also a woolgrower in the mid-North and pastoral areas of South Australia.
Special responsibilities:
- Chair, Finance & Audit Committee
- Chair, Intellectual Property & Commercialisation Committee
Dr Kevin J Bell B.V.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D., AAAC (WA)
Dr Bell is currently Professor of Animal Production Systems at Murdoch University in Western Australia, involving teaching and research at undergraduate and post-graduate level. He has been a private consultant with sheep growers in south-western Australia since 1983 and he has long-standing experience in international livestock development and management projects as well as Australian sheep research promotion.
He is a practical and respected scientist familiar with the requirements of both farming and science communities. He was a sheep cereal zone consultant representative on the farmer advisory committees of the former Australian Wool Research and Promotion Organisation (AWRAP).
Special responsiblities:
- AWI representative on Australian Wool Education Trust (AWET)
- Intellectual Property & Commercialisation Committee member
Mr Ken Boundy M.Agr. Sc, MBA, FAICD, FAIM, FAIST (appointed 24 April 2008)
Ken Boundy is a professional non-executive director and strategy consultant, with particular expertise in international marketing. His last full time role embraced the international marketing of Australia as Managing Director of Tourism Australia. Ken is an agricultural scientist who spent the early part of his career as a Research Agronomist and Regional Director of Agriculture in Victoria. Subsequent leadership roles in the private sector have included global marketing and operations in the wine, food and building materials industries. He is currently a Director of Horticulture Australia, Dexion, Acelero and Tarkine Wilderness.
Special responsibilities:
- Chair, Remuneration & Appointments Committee
- Intellectual Property & Commercialisation Committee member
Ms Robyn Clubb BEc, CA, F.Fin, MAICD (appointed 24 April 2008)
Robyn Clubb has experience as a senior executive and company director in the finance and funds management sector. She is currently a director of Elders Rural Bank and the Beef CRC, the Deputy Chair of the Rice Marketing Board of NSW and holds other public and private sector directorships. She is a former managing director of AMP Banking in New Zealand and held a number of senior management roles within the AMP Group, Citibank, Prudential Assurance Company Australia Ltd and Hambros Australia Ltd. Her international experience also included assignments in China and the UK.
Special responsibilities:
- Finance & Audit Committee member
Mr Roger Fletcher
Mr Fletcher is the Managing Director of Fletcher International Exports Pty Limited (Dubbo Abattoirs) New South Wales and Fletcher International (WA) Pty Limited (Narrikup Abattoirs) Western Australia. He is Chairman of the National and NSW State Export Lamb, Sheep & Goat Industries Council, and director of the Australian Meat Processor Council, CRC for Sheep Industry Innovation, and Australian Meat Industry Council.
Special responsiblities:
- Finance & Audit Committee member
Dr John Keniry AM, BSc, PhD., FRACI, FTS, FAICD (appointed 24 April 2008)
John Keniry is one of Australian agribusiness’s most experienced and respected company directors and brings global business experience to the Board. Among his many public and private sector board roles he is Chair of Ridley Corporation Limited, Biosignal Limited, The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence, the Sheep Industry Innovation CRC, and the Pork CRC, and a board member of the Australian Farm Institute, the NSW Environment Protection Authority and Innovation Australia. Among his previous roles, he is a Past-President of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, former Chair of The Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation and of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, and is a former member of the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering & Innovation Council. He was a director of Woolstock Australia Limited, and chaired WoolPoll 2000, 2003 and 2006, and the 2005 Commonwealth Review of the Live Animal Export Industry. He owns a mixed farming and fine wool property in Central Western NSW.
Special responsibilities:
- Remuneration & Appointments Committee member
Mr Walter B Merriman
Mr Merriman is Managing Director of the Merryville Stud. He oversees extensive commercial pastoral interests giving him broad farming and grazing experience. Mr Merriman has served on several industry boards, including National Woolgrower Forum, Major Woolgrowers Group and is past-president of both NSW and Australian Stud Merino associations.
Special responsibilities:
- Remuneration & Appointments Committee member.
Mr Charles (Chick) Olsson
Charles (Chick) Olsson is part of the Olsson family group of companies, known for their agricultural and salt mining interests throughout Australia. His business career has essentially been involved in business management and marketing roles. Mr Olsson runs fine wool Merinos at ‘Royal Oak‘, Goulburn NSW.
Special responsibilities:
- Intellectual Property & Commercialisation Committee member
Company Secretaries
- Leslie Mark Targ, appointed 26 May 2003.
- Christopher Maitland Chapman, appointed 16 October 2003.
- Sally Palmer, appointed 25 October 2007.