The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) ANZ has appointed two leaders from the fresh produce and floral industry to its board of directors, effective immediately. The appointment of Steritech fresh produce business manager, Ben Reilly, and Lynch Group Australia CEO, David Di Pietro, to the board was announced at IFPA ANZ’s annual general meeting, hosted at its new East Melbourne office on 15 May.
IFPA ANZ has undergone several changes to its executive structure in 2025, appointing Belinda Wilson as its new managing director in January, and Premier Fresh Australia COO, Dean Gall, as the new chair, and the region’s representative on the global board, in March. Perfection Fresh Australia CCO, John Simonetta, and New Zealand’s Jenkins Group managing director, Cameron McInness also joined the board in February.
“The IFPA ANZ board reflects the strength and diversity of our industry, with leaders from across the supply chain. David Di Pietro and Ben Reilly bring a wealth of experience and industry leadership to the board, and I look forward to working with them to help guide the association,” said Gall.
Steritech is the Asia-Pacific region’s largest contract sterilisation and decontamination processor, and one of the largest worldwide.
Reilly has worked with the company to lead the development of phytosanitary irradiation in Australia for the past 10 years, and his development of a QR code labelling system to meet food standards requirements was influential to two of Australia’s largest retailers adopting the treatment in 2024.
He was an early participant in both the IFPA (formerly PMA) Foundation for Industry Talent and Emerging Leaders’ programs and has volunteered as a mentor and a committee member.
“IFPA is a unique organisation that unites the best of our global industry and welcomes participation from the entire supply chain. IFPA has had a constant presence in my career and I’m honoured to join IFPA ANZ board,” said Reilly.
“I look forward to drawing on my experience in developing phytosanitary irradiation to support IFPA’s leading role as a facilitator of relationships, technology and innovation in our industry,” he said.
Di Pietro joined Lynch Group, Australia’s largest floral wholesaler, in 2016 and has held senior executive roles across the Australian manufacturing, retail, and FMCG sectors with leading companies such as BHP, Woolworths, George Weston Foods, and Breville.
“I'm excited to join the IFPA ANZ board as a representative of the floral category and to support the broader fresh produce industry. Flowers are a key component of fresh produce retail, often serving as an emotional purchase and setting the tone for a shopper’s perception of freshness,” said Di Pietro.
“I'm looking forward to building strong connections across the industry and contributing my experience from a supplier and grower’s perspective,” he said.
Lynch Group has been a member of the association (formerly the Produce Marketing Association) since 2007 and was among the member businesses to bring the PMA to Australia and New Zealand. Steritech has been a member of the association since 2016.
“David Di Pietro and Ben Reilly's appointments reflect our commitment to representative governance across the full value chain. Our focus remains on building value through connection, advocacy, and insight, and ensuring our efforts are grounded in what matters most to industry,” said Wilson.
“David and Ben bring deep expertise from across the floral, biosecurity, and postharvest sectors, strengthening the breadth of experience around our board table.”
