pma a-nz

Ben Hoodless has been appointed chair of PMA Australia-New Zealand (PMA A-NZ).

Hoodless recently launched ElementAG, a business partnering with international ag-tech innovators to commercialise new solutions for the benefit of the Australasian fresh produce industry.

Prior to this, Hoodless was general manager – ANZ vegetable seeds at Bayer Crop Science. He has over 20 years’ experience working in Australia, New Zealand, China and South Korea with large multinational R&D companies.

“It is a privilege to take the chair position at PMA A-NZ,” Hoodless said. “It’s a fantastic member organisation that brings the produce industry together around critical issues.

“I look forward to working with the PMA A-NZ team, board and members to drive forward our strategy based around the key pillars of food safety, tech and innovation, sustainability, industry talent and networking.”

Hoodless replaces OneHarvest’s Katie de Villiers as chair of PMA A-NZ, who has retired by rotation. Richard Byllaardt, chair of Citrus Australia, has been appointed vice chair.

“On behalf of the members and our team I would like to thank Katie for her direction as chair in these particularly challenging pandemic times,” said Darren Keating, chief executive of PMA A-NZ.

“Through her term on the board, Katie has brought a focus on developing talent and was heavily involved in the successful planning for this year’s Hort Connections. She leaves some big shoes to fill in our board leadership, but I am sure that Ben and Richard are up to the task.”