One new and two returning board directors have joined the grower-owned research and development corporation for Australian horticulture, Hort Innovation. At the organisation’s annual general meeting, voting members elected John Says and re-elected Michael Nixon and Victoria Taylor to the board.

Julie Bird was later re-elected as chair by the new board, with Victoria Taylor elected deputy chair. Ms Bird says the new directors join Hort Innovation at a historical time for the organisation. “In the backdrop of our recently unveiled 2024-2026 strategy, which outlines our vision of a prosperous and sustainable Australian horticulture industry built on innovation, we warmly welcome our new and returning directors,” she says. “Our commitment lies in extracting value from the investments we make, ensuring benefits for all levy payers.

“The strategic guidance provided by our new and returning directors will be instrumental in driving Hort Innovation toward achieving this overarching goal.” The newly appointed directors are:

John Says: Mr Says has established and successfully managed a thriving fresh produce company for the past 30 years developing great strength in strategy and business management.

Mr Says is an experienced chair and director, servicing national and global horticultural associations. Michael Nixon: First appointed to the board in 2020. Mr Nixon is passionate about Australian horticulture and innovation. He grew up in agriculture, with his family farming sheep, cattle and wheat. Mr Nixon previously owned and grew a broad range of horticultural crops his Carnarvon-based business, River Lodge.

Victoria Taylor: First appointed to the board in 2020, Ms Taylor has more than 20 years’ experience in agricultural policy, governance and communications.

Ms Taylor is an experienced director and is the current chair of the Rice Marketing board in NSW, chair of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Agri-Technology at Australian National University, and a non-executive director of WaterNSW.

Ms Bird says the board looks forward to working with the new directors, Hort Innovation’s teams, delivery partners, and growers. She also acknowledged the work of outgoing Hort Innovation director Paul Harker, and thanked him for his contribution to both Hort Innovation and the broader Australian horticulture industry.