Aussie ag executive returns as GRDC MD

International food and agriculture executive Anthony Williams has been announced as the new Managing Director and CEO of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC).

GRDC Chairman and Goondiwindi grain grower Mr John Woods said the comprehensive Australian and international search for a new GRDC MD had successfully resulted in Australian ex-pat Anthony Williams returning to assume the leadership of the GRDC.

“The GRDC Board is pleased to announce that Tony will commence as GRDC MD and CEO on 3 August 2020. We are delighted to have secured such a high calibre leader with over 25 years of accomplished commercial leadership in senior executive roles with Goodman Fielder and Bunge, across grains and oilseed value chains, in Australia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.”

“Strategically, the GRDC is on the right track – and Tony’s global experience will add value to both the continued effective and efficient implementation of the current five-year RD&E Plan and development and refinement of the next phase of our strategic journey.”

“Our people are our most important asset at GRDC. Tony has a proven track record building highly effective, cross-functional teams in a variety of business settings, so we look forward to his leadership further enhancing and developing our GRDC team.”

“In combination with his strategy development and team management skills, Tony’s strong business acumen, R&D experience, and results focus will ensure a smooth leadership transition in order to deliver the outcomes that will maximise the impact of the GRDC investment portfolio and create enduring profitability for Australian grain growers.” Mr Woods said.

“The GRDC Directors and staff thank retiring GRDC MD Dr Steve Jefferies for his leadership of GRDC over the last four years and his commitment to the development of the Australian grains industry over the last 36 years.

“Steve has led a major re-design of GRDC – creating a clear purpose, new strategy, bolstering our regional approach and leading the execution of the 2018-23 five-year RD&E plan. The organisation is now extremely well placed to build on this foundation and enhance GRDC’s ability to deliver on purpose for creating enduring profitability for growers through Tony’s leadership,” Mr Woods said.