One new and one returning director have joined the board of Hort Innovation amid a year of record investment for the grower-owned research and development corporation (RDC) for Australian horticulture.

At the organisation’s annual general meeting today, Cameron Mackay and Robert Mullins were elected. Julie Bird was later re-elected as chair by the new board, and John Said was elected deputy chair.

Ms Bird said the new directors join Hort Innovation at a time of significant opportunity for the organisation. 

“We are proud to say that Hort Innovation had a record-breaking year, with more than $158 million invested in research and development, marketing and trade initiatives to benefit levy payers,” Ms Bird says.

“We look forward to bringing our recently elected directors into the fold and benefiting from their insights and expertise as we continue to foster a culture of continuous improvement across the business,” she says.

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Cameron Mackay has been involved with his family business, Mackays, for more than 30 years growing banana, papaya, avocado, lychee, passionfruit, cocoa and coffee. His career has led to him senior industry roles including 12 years on the board of the Australian Banana Growers’ Council, with two years as chair.

Dr Robert Mullins was raised on a wheat farm and has enjoyed an international career in technology-based businesses supporting high-value horticulture. He has broad business experience having held senior commercial and technical leadership roles in Australia, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, and the US.

Ms Bird also acknowledged the work of outgoing director Catherine Oates and thanked her for her contribution to Hort Innovation and the broader horticulture industry.