Apple and Pear Australia (APAL) has announced Philip Turnbull as its replacement for departing chief executive John Dollisson.
The peak industry body confirmed Turnbull’s appointment in a release this afternoon, adding Dollisson had stood down to pursue other opportunities.
Turnbull will commence his new role on 4 October, having served as a member on APAL’s board since 2006. He initially joined the board as director for pears before becoming an independent director in 2015. Turnbull also sits on the newly-formed APAL commercialisation sub-committee.
“I’m really enthusiastic to take on this role at APAL,” Turnbull explained. “I see our challenge as developing a strategy for the future that creates genuine value for stakeholders and then delivering on this.”
Turnbull has previously worked in marketing with Pacific Brands Food Group and Nestlé Dairy Products. More recently, he served as managing director of his family business Turnbull Estate.
APAL chair Michele Allan said Turnbull’s knowledge of the APAL business structure, and the sector more broadly, made him an ideal replacement for Dollisson.
“Philip brings a strong commercial understanding and growing background to the business,” Allan said. “He has a familiarity of the apple and pear industry, as both an APAL board member and an industry member. He comes from a growing family and knows the challenges and opportunities we have.”
The APAL release highlighted the role Dollisson played in coordinating the National Horticulture Convention in 2015 and 2016, along with his advocacy on matters such as scrapping the proposed backpacker tax– whichwas dropped on Tuesday.
“The APAL Board and staff would like to thank John for his contribution to the industry and wish him well in his future endeavours,” Allan said.
