Three new board directors have been elected following Hort Innovation’s annual general meeting last Friday (23 November).
The new appointments increase female representation at the horticultural research and development corporation with a gender split of four females to five males.
Julie Bird was newly elected, and brings a broad background in Australian horticulture spanning five years. Susan Finger was re-elected for another term continuing to offer her knowledge of the supply chain.
Stephen Lynch has also been re-elected, and previous chair Selwyn Snell reappointed to serve another term. He will be supported by new deputy chair Mary Corbett.
Hort Innovation CEO Matt Brand said he was especially pleased to see four women now serving on the board. “This is almost equal representation at the highest level, which demonstrates the horticulture industry’s commitment to diversity and inclusion,” he said.
During the meeting a total of four resolutions were put forward. Resolution one, which sought to allow industry representative bodies to become eligible voting members was not passed.
Following this, removal of exclusive language relating to industry representative bodies and “obscure terminologies and references” to industry export control bodies will be removed from the constitution.
Hort Innvation stated resolutions two, three and four, which related to updating the constitution to adhere to current mandate and activities of the company were all passed.
