Simon Westaway has been appointed at ALEC’s new Chief Executive Officer.
CHAIRMAN of the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council, The Hon Simon Crean, has announced that Mr Simon Westaway has been appointed at ALEC’s new Chief Executive Officer.
“I’m very pleased to confirm Mr Westaway’s appointment and on behalf of the ALEC board and our members I welcome him to the Australian livestock export industry,” Mr Crean said.
“Mr Westaway’s proven abilities as a senior executive in corporate affairs and strategy in the resources and mining, aviation, tourism and transport, health and government sectors mean he is very well placed to make a significant contribution to the livestock export industry.”
Mr Westaway will join ALEC from Melbourne-based corporate advisory firm Hintons & Associates, with previous experience with BHP Billiton, Orica, Tourism Australia, Jetstar Airways and Medibank Private. He fills the vancancy created by the departure of incumbent CEO Alison Penfold, whose four-and-a-half year tenure with ALEC finished last week.
“Alison leaves our organisation in much stronger shape to meet the significant opportunities and challenges facing our industry,” Mr Crean said.
“Alison has overseen fundamental changes in the way the livestock export business operates. We thank her for her legacy and she goes with our best wishes for the future.”
Mr Crean said Mr Westaway’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the industry.
“The live trade continues to be the subject of close scrutinity and questions continue to be asked about our commitment to transparency and improvement in animal welfare,” Mr Crean said.
“While we are very proud of Australia’s role in a sophisticated and professional global livestock supply chain, we acknowledge the system is not perfect. That’s why we are determined to be transparent in addressing the concerns of all stakeholders, finding common ground in solutions which support an ethical and economically viable live trade.”
