Hort Innovation Chair transition and Director recruitment

The Board of Hort Innovation has confirmed a planned transition in leadership, with Chair Julie Bird to retire from the role of Chair at the 2026 Annual General Meeting in November.

Deputy Chair John Said has been scheduled to assume the role of Chair, subject to formal appointment by the Board.

The transition ensures a smooth transition in board leadership as the organisation completes the current phase of its strategy and prepares for the next.

With more than three decades in horticulture, Mr Said brings deep grower insight, commercial leadership and a strong understanding of global supply chains. A founder of a national vegetable business supplying major retailers and export markets, he understands both the practical realities facing growers and the commercial environment in which the industry operates.

He has served on a range of national and international industry boards and has worked closely with the Hort Innovation Board as a Director and Deputy Chair, providing continuity and familiarity with the organisation’s strategy and governance.

Director recruitment process expanded

Ms Bird has also decided to step down from the Hort Innovation Board shortly after the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), with her departure creating a casual vacancy under the Hort Innovation Constitution. The vacancy carries a three-year term, reflecting the remainder of her current term, and must be filled by Board appointment from candidates nominated by the Director Nomination Committee.

Hort Innovation has previously announced it is seeking applications for two Non-Executive Director positions, each with a four-year term, arising through scheduled Board rotation. This recruitment process is now being expanded to include the additional three-year vacant position, and the application period has been extended until 5pm AEST on Monday, 27 July.

Applications are now invited from candidates with skills and experience in:

• finance, accounting and auditing;
• export, market development and market access;
• public policy and administration;
• technology and digital transformation, and
• promotion, marketing and communications.

Interested applicants can obtain the Director Applicant Information Pack and Skills Matrix from the Rimfire Resources website, where online applications must also be submitted.

Information about Hort Innovation’s corporate governance practices can be found here and its current Board of Directors here.