New CEO for organic certifying group

Australia’s largest organic certifying group has appointed Ben Copeman as its new CEO.

Australian Certified Organic (ACO) has taken on Copeman following an extensive search, and chairman Joe Siegel believes he can offer "strong client service, technical and strategic competence, together with great levels of knowledge and passion
for the organic sector".

Having spent more than 30 years experiencing the extremes of rural life – breeding stud and commercial beef cattle, sheep farming for wool, as well as growing cereal and forage crops – Copeman is pleased to be back in the industry.

“The organics sector is growing at a phenomenal rate, which makes it one of the most exciting industries to be a part of right now,” he says.

“Australian organic products are particularly sought after, especially throughout Asian markets, and I'm very much looking forward to contributing to the expansion of the ACO brand and the Bud logo onto the global stage.”

Copeman was most recently the CEO of the Royal National Capital Agricultural Society in Canberra, and formerly the GM of The National Association of Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA).

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