Outgoing Chairman of the Board Duncan Fraser has been praised for his leadership in guiding the Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation during a crucial period in the organisation’s history.
Mr Fraser’s three-year appointment came to an end at the September Sheep CRC Board meeting. At that time, the board appointed Mr Fraser to continue as CRC chair on a temporary casual basis until next month’s annual general meeting and board meeting at which a successor will be confirmed.
He leaves behind a legacy of continuing the CRC’s exemplary standards of governance and a focus on ensuring research and development programs live up to the CRC’s goal of “continuing the industry transformation” through high-impact practical technologies.
“I am very appreciative of having had the opportunity to work with such a collaborative board, a supportive chief executive and hard-working professional staff during my time at the Sheep CRC,” Mr Fraser said.
“I feel that this term of the CRC has delivered some outstanding innovations and through the strategic leadership of the board we have placed the Sheep CRC in a strong position to transition its innovations and research for a long life after the CRC concludes in June 2019.
“Having completed my three year term and having prepared the CRC for its closure and transition of responsibilities, it’s time now to look to other pursuits in life.”
Operating as part of the Federal Department of Industry’s CRC program, the Sheep CRC is a collaboration of 40 Participants from industry, government and the commercial sector. It is working to increase the productivity and profitability of the industry through adoption of new technologies in both the meat and wool supply chains.
Mr Fraser accepted a three-year appointment as chair of the Sheep CRC in October 2014, which marked the commencement of this final five-year term of the Sheep CRC. During his tenure the CRC has extended its reputation as a world-leader in delivering DNA technologies, has supported new and innovative methods of driving cuts-based carcase quality evaluations, and implemented a new, easy-to-use big data products including RamSelect and ASKBILL.
Sheep CRC chief executive James Rowe thanked Mr Fraser for the quality of his leadership and his collaborative approach.
“Duncan’s knowledge of the industry is second to none, and his ability to draw together and hold together a wide network of organisations has made a huge impact on the success of this CRC,” Prof. Rowe said.