Better board performance - A view from the Agribusiness sector

Join us to hear from a panel of highly experienced Directors who will discuss how their Boards grapple with challenges and bring their perspective and insights to the discussion about how to become a better Board.

Directors' Cut Lunch: Better Board Performance
a View from the Agribusiness Sector

There has been a rush of M&A corporate activity in the Boardrooms of WA’s agricultural companies recently and the attempted takeover of Grain Corp by ADM in the East Coast has revitalised the foreign ownership debate in Australia.  However, the challenges for Boards and Directors in this sector are not unique.

How can all Directors learn from Agribusiness Boards in the way that they deal with these challenges and other issues?

Strategy and risk discussions are a critical part of the board’s role and mandate. Generic risks can include commodity prices, sovereign risk, market and regulatory risk and volatility.  Strategic discussions at a board level will focus on issues such as capital investment, market entry, productivity, value adding investments  and human capital.

Issues confronting boards in any sector might include;

• Global versus local
• Competition both within Australia and abroad
• Inward investment  from overseas companies
• How to value to our exports to Asia
• Infrastructure
• Regulatory concerns and ACCC regulations
• Productivity and R&D investment.

Speakers

• Andrew Crane GAICD , Managing Director (CEO), Cooperative Bulk Handling
• David Lock MAICD , Managing Director (CEO), Craig Mostyn Group
• Chris Moore , Head of Agriculture, Westpac