Chairman – David Blackburn

David is the founding, non-executive, Chairman of SQP.  David has been a Director of the Southern Quality Co-Operative since 2001, and was Chairman from inception to 2005.

David hold over 30 years experience within the industry and currently operates a mixed farming business South of Lake Bolac Victoria, producing wool, sheep meat, beef and grains.

He is also a Director of Zirky’s Apartments (Mt Hotham) and has held the position, since 1999, of Group Officer of the Westmere Fire Brigades’ Group (Region 16) part of the CFA.  David has completed an Innoven Effective Company Director course.

Deputy Chairman – Mike Chaseling

Mike is the Deputy Chairman of SQP and the Chairman of SQP’s Risk Committee.  Mike is also Deputy Chairman of SQP’s joint venture partner, Emerald, where he retains significant ownership.  Prior to joining Emerald, Mike had 20 years experience in the Australian grains industry, having held management and trading roles at a number of national and international corporations including the Australian Wheat Board, ConAgra Trade Group and NETCO Ltd.  He is also Director of the Australian grain industry’s representative body, Grain Trade Australia (formerly NACMA) where he was previously Chairman of the industry’s Corporate Governance Committee.  He continues to serve as a registered trade arbitrator.

Non-executive Director – Rod Laidlaw

Rod Laidlaw is a non-executive Director of SQP Pty Ltd, and Chairman of the Customer Services Committee. Rod also served as Chairman of Southern Quality Produce Co-operative Ltd, a position he held from November 2005 until December 2008; he has been a Director of the Co-operative since November 11th 2001.

Rod is a grain and livestock producer based near Tatyoon, Victoria; a member of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation and an active member of the CFA. Active in local sporting clubs, school councils and community groups, Rod holds a Diploma of Financial Markets from the Securities Institute of Australia (SIA) of which he is also an affiliate member, and has completed an Innoven Effective Company Director Course.

Non-executive Director – Mick Cattanach

Mick is a Non-executive Director of SQP, where he sits on the Risk Management Committee and Grower Services Committee.  Mick is the Managing Director of Emerald, SQP’s joint venture partner, and is also a member of the Risk & Compliance Committee.  Mick has over 20 years experience in corporate agribusiness and primary production, and has overseen grain marketing and wool production activities for several businesses.  He has also held senior trading positions with DR Johnston and US food group ConAgra Inc during the 1990s.  From 2001 – 2003, Mick was General Manager for national cooperative group NETCO, the peak body for nine agriculture cooperatives around Australia, representing 5000 family-farm units.  Mick grew up in wheat and sheep country around Hay, NSW, and maintains strong links in south-western NSW through agribusiness responsibilities as a Director with his family’s wool and sheep meat farming enterprises.

Non-executive Director – Garry Meek

Garry is a Non-executive Director of SQP and a member of the SQP Risk Management Committee.  Garry is also a founding Director of Southern Quality Produce Co-operative.  For over 25 years, Gary has operated a mixed farming operation near Mininera Victoria, specialising in wheat, barley, canola and superfine wool production.  Garry has completed an Innoven leadership Effective Company Director course.  He is an active member of his community through his involvement in the Mininera Fire Brigade, School Council and Superfine Wool Group.

Managing Director – Ben Fleay

Ben is the Managing Director of SQP, a position he has held since the commencement of the joint venture with Emerald in 2007.  Ben sits on three of the SQP Board Committees.  From 2003 – 2007, Ben was the General Manager of SQP Co-operative where he was responsible for growing the business to 120,000 tonnes of grain and $25million turnover.  Ben is a member of The Executive Connection (TEC), a group for development of chief executives and senior managers.  Prior to joining SQP Cooperative, Ben worked in the Australian cotton industry as a senior agronomist for Lachlan Farming and Twynam Pastoral Co. During this time Ben was responsible for the agronomic management of over 10,000 hectares of irrigation.