FORMER NSW Department of Primary Industries high flyer Brett Fifield has been named the new chief executive officer of Hort Innovation.
Mr Fifield's appointment comes following the resignation of Matt Brand who held the position since 2018.
He is the third New South Welshman to take up the Hort Innovation position, after John Lloyd (2009 - 2018) and Mr Brand.
Mr Fifield will join Hort Innovation on April 26 from his current role as the NSW DPI deputy director general, infrastructure, investment and business development, based in Orange.
Mr Fifield grew up on a mixed farm near Wagga Wagga and following an early career as a journalist, held senior executive roles working across agriculture, biosecurity, food safety, fisheries, policy and cabinet, business performance, communications and engagement.
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Hort Innovation chair Julie Bird said she was confident Mr Fifield would take Hort Innovation to the next phase of strategic development, and enhanced culture and stakeholder experience.
"Brett's leadership, and broad industry expertise across R&D, stakeholder engagement and innovation will be an asset to lead Hort Innovation toward the government's Ag2030 vision of growing agriculture to $100bn in value," Ms Bird said.
Mr Fifield said he was thrilled to be joining the Hort Innovation team and looked forward to working closely with, and supporting, the horticulture industry.
"Horticulture's great diversity comes with great opportunity; and it will be a privilege to work across the breadth of Australian horticulture," he said.
"In this rapidly changing world, Hort Innovation's role is more important than ever and so is its commitment to innovation and collaboration.
"We have a firm responsibility to deliver real impact for growers and those across the supply chain. And, as a major RDC, our work in partnership with industry will be pivotal to Australian horticulture's success."
The board extended its thanks to outgoing CEO Mr Brand for remaining in the role through the transition period.
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