Australia
March 1, 2016

The Chairman of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Mr Richard Clark, has today announced Dr Steve Jefferies as the organisation’s new Managing Director.

Dr Jefferies, currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Adelaide-based Australian Grain Technologies, will take up his appointment in July.

“On behalf of the GRDC Board, I am delighted that Dr Jefferies will join us and lead the ongoing transformation of the organisation and the critical role it plays in advancing the interests of Australia’s grains industry,” Mr Clark said.

“Dr Jefferies already has a marvellous story of achievement and leadership within the industry. He has been a trailblazer in the transition of wheat breeding from the public to private sector, and he has taken AGT from a four-person start-up to Australia’s largest plant breeding and variety commercialisation company – and one of the world’s largest too.

“It is credit to the company which Steve has led, that since 2014, more than half of the Australian wheat crop was planted using varieties developed by AGT. As GRDC moves forward, his experience in communication with research partners and international companies will be invaluable.”

Dr Jefferies has big shoes to fill in replacing outgoing Managing Director John Harvey.

“John has been with us for more than 17 years, including nearly six years leading the organisation, and has been working hard on GRDC’s complex process of organisational renewal and change. I pay tribute to his remarkable service and the Board wishes him the very best for the future,” Mr Clark said.

Dr Jefferies will be responsible for the development and implementation of GRDC’s five year strategic Research and Development Investment Plan, which is due to commence on 1 July 2017. He will also continue the roll-out of four regional offices which will see GRDC people employed in Dubbo, Adelaide, Toowoomba and Perth.

 

Website: http://www.grdc.com.au

Published: March 1, 2016