ABRI Chair and Managing Director hand over reins to the next generation of agribusiness leaders.
MEDIA RELEASE 9/8/24
ABRI Chair Ian Locke and Managing Director Hugh Nivison today announced that after more than three decades of service between them, the time had come to hand over the Institute to a new leadership team. ABRI Board member Angela Schuster is ABRI’s new Chair and experienced agribusiness leader and current ABRI Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Anita Kauffmann the new ABRI Managing Director, driving ABRI’s focus on strengthening its market position, which will lead to exciting customer-centric solutions in the future.
For more than 50 years, ABRI has specialised in delivering Australia’s premier beef cattle quantitative genetics evaluation service and technology-driven agribusiness information services. ABRI’s signature genetic evaluation system for beef cattle breeders, BREEDPLAN® is synonymous with agribusiness in Australia, alongside a broader suite of ABRI software solutions for dairy cattle, sheep, goats, and equine sectors.
Ian’s decision to step down as Chair follows an impressive tenure, having joined the ABRI Board in 2002, serving as its Chair since 2014. Ian also held positions on Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA) BREEDPLAN® and Sheep Genetics Technical committees. Ian is managing partner of Wirruna Poll Hereford Stud in Holbrook, southern NSW with more than 30 years’ experience as a beef producer, a background in agricultural business and a degree in agricultural economics.
Ian said after 22 years on the ABRI Board, including the last decade at the helm as Chair, he would continue to serve as an ABRI Board member but looked forward to a new Chair having the opportunity to oversee the next chapter of one of Australia’s most valuable agribusiness institutions.
“It has been an exciting period for ABRI, highlighted by the introduction of genomic information into the BREEDPLAN® genetic evaluation system which has offered more precise genetic data and associated technologies to breed associations and cattle breeders within Australia and across the world,” Ian said.
“As we look ahead and define the future of ABRI, now is the right time for me to hand over the position to new leadership. I am excited to see what ABRI can achieve next under the enthusiasm of Angela who brings new energy and drive which can help ABRI embrace a new trajectory as a leading provider of innovative AgTech products, software services and technology solutions on a global scale.
“I also want to offer much gratitude to Hugh for this leadership and the heart he put into this role. Hugh has been an instrumental ABRI leader and implemented many great advancements to the organisation’s operations and strategic direction.
“I look forward to ABRI’s continued commitment to the efficient delivery of BREEDPLAN® and development of new associated technologies and software solutions to the livestock industries where ABRI is focused on its growth.”
A sheep and cattle producer from Walcha NSW with an agricultural investment industry background, Hugh Nivison joined ABRI as its Managing Director in 2015 and has been highly respected, leading the organisation through a period of immense technology change and challenge for the agribusiness sector and in a dynamic global market context.
Hugh said after careful consideration he had decided it was the right time for new leadership to drive the next phase of ABRI’s strategic growth, aligned to an innovation focus across its product and services.
“I am deeply committed to the purpose of ABRI and the value it delivers to our customers in Australia and globally. I am immensely proud of ABRI’s work and believe the pace of technology presents exciting opportunities for ABRI to be at the forefront of innovation in genetic technologies,” Hugh said.
“I look forward to seeing ABRI continue to embrace a strategic focus on the criticality of data across the value chain.”
ABRI Board member Angela Schuster has been appointed by the ABRI Board as its new Chair. The Board has appointed current ABRI CFO Anita Kauffmann as Managing Director.
Angela, whose expertise spans strategy, planning and governance has served on the ABRI Board for four years. Angela brings to the role of Chair a focus on developing strategies that align with stakeholder priorities and evidence-based decision making to oversee the organisation as it evolves alongside the dynamic demands of the agribusiness sector. With more than three decades experience in innovation-led projects to drive progress and shape industry standards, Angela has also served on several international and national forums, including as the Australian representative to the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) strategic advisory group on Smart Farming.
“I am passionate about the role of innovation in the strategic growth of ABRI so that it is positioned as an organisation renowned for ambitiously pursuing customer-focused technology across its products and services which can meaningfully deliver on our core purpose of providing profit-driving value to our customers,” Angela said.
“This transition in leadership marks a reorganisation and renewal of ABRI for its stakeholders. I thank the ABRI Board for its trust in me to oversee the Board as it looks to the future needs of the industry, firmly focused on growth, opportunity and profit.”
Anita brings to the ABRI Managing Director role significant commercial experience, particularly from the national and international red meat sector. A chartered accountant, former University of New England (UNE) CFO currently working in this capacity with ABRI, and with extensive experience across a broad and diverse range of industries, Anita also serves on a number of committees and boards. In addition, Anita is founder of Red 8 Produce, which is backed by the MLA and the Commonwealth Government, and provides a platform for producers to improve profits, traceability and sustainability.
“ABRI is a vital part of the growth and evolution of agribusiness in Australia. There are many opportunities for ABRI to even further elevate the value it provides to its customers through products and services which are developed in collaboration with our customers and backed by a workforce dedicated to supporting their growth and profitability,” Anita said.
“I acknowledge and thank Hugh and Ian for their many years of service and leadership at ABRI and look forward to continuing their good work and building strong relationships with ABRI’s customers, staff and stakeholders. Sharpening engagement with stakeholders and offerings for customers and moving rapidly to embrace change will be key priorities. I am committed to ensuring we remain responsive, customer-centric and commercially focused as we bring the entire supply chain together for the benefit of producers.”
Biography: Angela Schuster
Angela Schuster is renowned for her innovative projects and strategic vision to drive progress and shape industry standards, including her role in international and national forums. In addition to serving on the ABRI Board, Angela is the Chair of the Standards Australia technical committee on data-driven agrifood systems and was the Australian representative for the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Strategic Advisory Group on Smart Farming as well as holding a range of other executive and non-executive roles across the innovation, technology and agribusiness sector. Angela is the Managing Director of Schuster Consulting Group, which has been delivering strategy, governance, standards, risk, compliance and policy services to national and international clients for more than 20 years. Angela holds a Masters of Business, in addition to other formal governance and business administration qualifications. In addition, Angela and her husband run a sheep, cattle and cropping enterprise just out of Dubbo in the Central West of NSW.
Biography: Anita Kauffmann
Anita Kauffmann has experience across a broad section of industries and roles, with a unique mix of commercial acumen, government and regulatory compliance, regional development, stakeholder engagement, advocacy and leadership operating in politically charged environments and is currently serving as ABRI’s CFO. With over 20 years as a beef and sheep producer, Anita co-founded Red8 Produce, an innovative meat processing platform for producers to increase profitability, traceability sustainability and ethics, for supply to global niche markets. Anita is a Chartered Accountant, with mediation and governance qualifications and previously served as the UNE’s CFO. Anita also serves on the Hunter New England Local Health District Board, Industry Skills Australia Board and has been an adviser to the former Deputy Prime Minister. Amongst her educational qualifications and credentials, Anita holds degrees in science and commerce.