Ausveg CEO James Whiteside

James Whiteside has been announced as the new CEO for industry body Ausveg, effective 9 December.

Whiteside succeeds Simon Bolles, who stepped in as interim CEO following Richard Mulcahy's retirement in May 2016.

Bringing extensive experience in agriculture and agribusiness, Whiteside served as chief operating officer for Incitec Pivot Fertilisers, and CEO of its Hong Kong-based joint venture, Quantum Fertilisers, and formerly held positions with Agrimark Consultants and Elders.

“[Whiteside] brings a vast level of local and global agribusiness expertise to the industry, having previously worked for 23 years for Incitec Pivot,” Ausveg chair Geoff Moar said. “The Ausveg board is confident that Whiteside is the most qualified person for the role and will lead the organisation, and the industry more broadly, through a period of growth and prosperity in the years ahead.

“The Australian vegetable and potato industries are two growing and dynamic sectors within agriculture, and the industry’s success will in part be driven by the depth of industry and business knowledge represented in Asuveg’s board and its senior management.”