Fond farewell from Beef board as CEO changes focus

‘We greatly appreciate Ian’s contribution to Beef 2021 which... has been hailed an overwhelming success by all.’

Beef Australia CEO Ian Mill has been appointed CEO of the Rockhampton Jockey Club.

The Beef Australia board is bidding a fond farewell to CEO Ian Mill, who is turning his focus from bovines to equines.

Mr Mill has been appointed CEO of the Rockhampton Jockey Club and will assume the position in August following the resignation of Tony Fenlon.

He makes the move after this year delivering what is considered the biggest and best Beef Australia on record.

Mr Mill led a team of 80 staff and more than 200 volunteers to deliver Beef 2021, which attracted 115,866 people across the week-long, internationally recognised expo in Rockhampton in May.

His efforts were acknowledged by Beef Australia board chairman Bryce Camm.

“We greatly appreciate Ian’s contribution to Beef 2021 which, despite the challenges and unknowns associated with COVID, has been hailed an overwhelming success by all, from our tens of thousands of visitors and participants through to our stakeholders,” he said.

“Many of Ian’s management skills and abilities displayed in delivering Beef 2021 will serve him and the Rockhampton Jockey Club well in his new role.

“We thank Ian for his service and wish him continued success in serving the Rockhampton community which he is so passionate about.”

Mr Mill said he was excited about his new role.

“Horse racing has been a passion of mine for a long time, both as a volunteer on the local board, as well as having shares in racehorses, albeit on somewhat of a social scale,” he said.

“The thoroughbred industry has always been something I have followed keenly so when the opportunity arose to step into this role, and with my contract at Beef Australia coming to an end, I jumped at the chance.”