The Board of Grains Australia Limited (GAL) is pleased to announce the appointment of international trade facilitation specialist Dr John Ackerman to the newly established role of General Manager Trade and Market Access.
GA Chair Terry Enright said the GM Trade and Market Access role is a key executive position within GA and will be responsible for the coordination of all grains industry market access issues and opportunities.
“This task involves leading engagement with all levels of government and industry across the entire grains value chain to determine industry priorities, respond to new and emerging issues and identify opportunities to improve and maintain market access,” Mr Enright said.
“John comes to the role with extensive experience in agriculture, having represented the Australian government and industry interests overseas for the last 16 years, with significant accomplishments in research, policy development, and industry improvements, covering domestic and international issues, particularly trade and market access matters.
“John will take over the tasks brought into GA with the Grains Industry Market Access Forum (GIMAF), with GIMAF Executive Manager Tony Russell assisting through a transition period as he steps back from full-time employment.
“Tony Russell has been the driver of GIMAF since its creation over 10 years ago – his commitment in this work is acknowledged and appreciated by the GAL Board.
“Trade and market access are vital issues for the grains industry, points well-recognised by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) when establishing GA with the support of the industry.
“As John joins the team we will continue exploring the expansion of GA’s effort, devoting more resources into trade and market development for Australian grain, both internally and with our various industry partner organisations,” he said.
Dr Ackerman said he was looking forward to taking on the work pioneered by GIMAF and taking it further through Grains Australia.
“International trade and market access is a challenge the Australian grains industry addresses collectively and cooperatively between industry and government, so I am very excited at this opportunity to step into and build on this effort through Grains Australia, working with a diverse group of stakeholders to take their priorities forward,” Dr Ackerman said