HORTICULTURE INNOVATION AUSTRALIA (Hort Innovation) has today announced the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Mr Matt Brand. Mr Brand will continue in the role for six months while the recruitment of a new CEO takes place.

Hort Innovation Chair, Ms Julie Bird, said the Board extends its thanks to Mr Brand for his leadership during his three years as CEO and wishes him well for the future.

“Matt has overseen the development and launch of the 2019-2023 strategic plan and the recent 5-year strategic investment plan (SIP) refresh across all 37 levied industries,” she said.

“He initiated the process improvement project, to assist in improving transparency, visibility and responsiveness of the investments made on behalf of the horticulture industry and has driven a project with peak industry bodies on transforming how we receive investment advice.”

More than half of Mr Brand’s tenure was spent navigating a rapidly changing landscape because of the pandemic, including leading the business remotely and supporting the team working from home to deliver our core business, while at the same time supporting the horticulture sector to respond to a range of COVID-related crises around labour, export and demand creation.

“We are grateful that Matt will remain in the role while we undertake the search for his replacement to maintain stability and business as usual for the team and our stakeholders,” she said.

“With a new Strategic Plan due in 2023, this timing allows for a new CEO to come into the business and lead that process from consultation to implementation.

“As a Board, we are focused on finding the right CEO candidate to build on the solid foundations that have been recently established and to work collaboratively with our partners to take Hort Innovation into the next phase of our strategic development and delivery for the betterment of industry.

“We are looking forward to continuing the work we have started on building a better stakeholder experience, continuously improving our internal ways of working for efficiency and building a constructive culture.”

Recruitment for the new CEO will commence immediately.

Media Contact: Hort Innovation Media and Public Affairs Manager, Kelly Vorst-Parkes, kelly.vorst.parkes@horticulture.com.au.