CLIVE STIFF ANNOUNCED AS NEW AFGC CHAIR
The Board of the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has elected Mr Clive Stiff as the new Chairman of the AFGC.
Mr Stiff, Chief Executive Officer, Unilever Australia and New Zealand, takes up the position following the retirement of Mr Terry O’Brien, Managing Director, Simplot Australia, who served on the AFGC Board for seventeen years, including the last five years as Chairman.
Mr Stiff said despite the fact that industry is facing challenging times, food and grocery manufacturers remain optimistic about the future in Australia.
“There has never been a more important time for the food and grocery manufacturing sector to maintain a strong voice. Industry priorities include contributing to the health and wellness of the community and environment; regulatory reform to reduce compliance costs; improving the competitiveness of Australian manufacturing;; and ensuring fair negotiations with retailers.”
AFGC CEO Ms Tanya Barden said Mr Stiff brought 30 years of industry experience to the role having worked for a broad range of companies in the fast moving consumer goods sector.
Mr Stiff joined Unilever in 2012 as CEO. Prior to that he worked for Goodman Fielder and Procter & Gamble in general management as well as various commercial and marketing functions.
Unilever is amongst the largest consumer goods companies in Australia and is active across many sales channels and many food, beverage, home and personal care products.
“It’s great to have someone with so much industry knowledge and vitality who will help AFGC take up these important challenges and to work with government to strengthen the current operating environment,” Ms Barden said.
“I would also like to thank Terry O’Brien for his impressive leadership of the AFGC Board. Mr O’Brien has been a fantastic advocate for all facets of our industry.”
“Under his direction, the AFGC has played a key role in the development of a range of proactive whole of industry initiatives and increased the diversity of the AFGC Board, including greater small business representation.”
Apart from contributing to the wellbeing of the wider food industry through his engagement and commitment to the AFGC, Terry has also been recognised by Government as one of the elder statesmen of industry. For example, Terry served on the Food Processing Industry Strategy Group which was convened by the Gillard Government and, more recently, was appointed to the Board of Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL), which was established to foster commercially driven collaboration and innovation in the Australian food and agribusiness industry.
Mr O’Brien said it had been a privilege to lead the AFGC.
“Food and grocery manufacturers supply the essentials of life that every Australian family needs, every day of the year. This is a vital industry for the health of our economy and our community.
“I have enjoyed the role of Chairman immensely and I am very pleased to be handing over to someone as talented and committed as Clive Stiff – a true leader of our industry.”
-ENDS-
AFGC Media Contact: James Mathews 0407 416 002