AUSVEG chief executive officer Richard Mulcahy has resigned just a month out from the National Horticulture Convention.
The peak body for Australian vegetable growers confirmed his resignation at lunchtime today following an ABC News report overnight.
In a statement, Ausveg said Mr Mulcahy yesterday informed the Ausveg board of his retirement, effective immediately.
Ausveg skills-based director Simon Bolles has been appointed interim CEO while the organisation conducts a thorough search for Mr Mulcahy’s replacement.
Ausveg chairman Geoff Moar said Ausveg's number one priority has always been providing effective representation for Australia’s vegetable and potato growers.
He did not elaborate any further on the circumstances surrounding Mr Mulcahy's departure.
“The board has every confidence that Ausveg will continue to provide exceptional representation and high quality service provision to the Australian vegetable industry under the guidance of Mr Bolles and key senior staff,” Mr Moar said.
“In particular the 2016 National Horticulture Convention, which has the highest ever number of industry bodies involved, a sold-out trade show and event registrations approximately 15 per cent higher than at the same time last year, is set to become the most successful event in the history of Australian horticulture.”
The National Horticulture Convention evolved from the Ausveg Convention after partnering with Apples and Pears Australia Limited, and several other key fresh produce industry bodies.
This year's event will be held on the Gold Coast from June 23-25.
Mr Mulcahy, a former CEO of several major industry organisations and a past director with the Wrigley Company based in Chicago, USA, was also a member of parliament for the ACT Liberal party before resigning and serving as an independent.
He is an adjunct professor at the University of Queensland in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law.
Mr Moar said Ausveg has a long and proven history of advocating for growers and representing their interests on important industry issues since its inception, most notably the successful campaign that resulted in the recent advancements to Australia’s country of origin labelling laws.
“Australian vegetable and potato growers can rest assured that it is business as usual and that Ausveg can continue to best represent the interests of the Australian vegetable industry," he said.
Ashley Walmsley
Ashley Walmsley is the editor of ACM's only national, fresh produce magazine, Good Fruit & Vegetables, while also covering horticulture stories for the agricultural papers and websites. He also writes the weekly, The Ringer, column in the Qld Country Life.
Ashley Walmsley is the editor of ACM's only national, fresh produce magazine, Good Fruit & Vegetables, while also covering horticulture stories for the agricultural papers and websites. He also writes the weekly, The Ringer, column in the Qld Country Life.
