Murray Goulburn has announced the appointment of John Spark as its chairman to replace Philip Tracy who retires this month.
Spark has extensive board experience across a range of large and complex businesses, including the agricultural industry, according to Murray Goulburn.
“It is a true honour to have an opportunity to apply my passion and expertise to the Chairmanship of Murray Goulburn, a proudly farmer-controlled co-operative that has grown to become Australia’s largest dairy producer and one of the country’s largest agricultural exporters,” Spark said.
“As chairman, I look forward to playing a central role at Murray Goulburn and working closely with my fellow directors and chief executive officer, Ari Mervis, to build a stronger company for the future.”
Spark was previously a director of Ridley Corporation from 2008 until 2015 and served as chairman from 2010. Since 2007 he has been a non-executive director and chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Newcrest Mining Limited.
From 1989 to 2004, Spark was a partner, then managing partner, at Ferrier Hodgson, and until recently he had an Angus cattle farm at Kerrisdale near Yea in Victoria and was also an investor in Victoria’s fourth largest asparagus producer as well as in a large Kiwi fruit business.
Tracy has been a member of MG's Board since 2009 and has served as Chairman since 2011.
“It has been an honour to be Chairman of MG and contribute to the co-operative which has invested in world-class infrastructure and developed branded retail opportunities,” Tracy said.
“I would also like to thank each supplier for their ongoing support of the co-operative. I wish them all, MG and the Australian dairy industry every success.”
