Applications sought for three MLA Board Director positions

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has called for applications to fill three non-executive director positions on its Board.

Each year, as part of the Board selection process, three non-executive directors are elected to the Board, with applications for the current round closing on Friday, 2 June 2017.

MLA’s Board is skills-based and comprises 10 directors including nine non-executive directors and the Managing Director. Appointments to the Board are for a term of three years, with retiring Directors able to nominate for re-election.

The role of the MLA Board is to provide strategic direction to the management of the company, ensuring that appropriate performance goals are set and achieved, risk is managed within the Board’s risk appetite, corporate governance, and investment criteria to ensure the interests of industry are taken into account and funds are invested effectively and in the right areas.

As a skills-based Board and in line with current specific requirements, candidates with extensive skills and experience in at least one of the following areas are encouraged to apply:

• Australian beef production – including demonstrated knowledge and/or experience of northern production systems and knowledge and experience in one or more of the following:
• pasture management, genetics and nutrition
• an understanding of Research Development & Extension
• emerging technologies and their application and implementation (including but not limited to IT and data).
• Australian sheepmeat production systems including demonstrated knowledge and/or experience in diverse production systems and knowledge and experience in one or more of the following:
• pasture management, genetics and nutrition
• an understanding of Research Development & Extension
• emerging technologies and their application and implementation (including but not limited to IT and data).
• Financial, audit and risk framework oversight with demonstrated knowledge and experience in and an understanding of issues relevant to the following:
• Australian operations
• global operations
• compliance with statutory obligations under the Corporations Act and under the Federal Government funding arrangements.

Candidates with other specialist skill sets are also encouraged to apply whilst recognising that all applicants should possess the following:

• An understanding of the Australian red meat and livestock industry structure
• Demonstrated ability in high level strategic thinking, leadership, corporate governance, strong business acumen, including sound financial literacy
• Well-developed communication skills, with a collaborative approach in making an active contribution to Board discussion.

Applicants are subject to a thorough selection process, where the Selection Committee, assisted by an external Board recruitment consultant, considers nominations, conducts interviews and then endorses candidates for election to the MLA Board by MLA members at the Annual General Meeting each year.

Candidates put forward for election by the members are selected by a nine-person Board Selection Committee which is made up of three industry representatives, four member-elected representatives and two non-voting members of the current MLA Board. The number of candidates endorsed by the Selection Committee must be equal to the number of vacancies to be filled.

For more information about MLA, the Board Selection process and to get an Information Pack, please visit www.mla.com.au/board-director-positions

MLA’s 2017 Annual General Meeting will be held in Alice Springs, NT from 21-22 November 2017. Click here for more information.