AgForce chief executive Michael Guerin will step down from the job later this year

A well-known farm sector chief executive says he’s focusing on a “strong and good dismount” as he makes moves to step down from the job after eight years.

AgForce chief executive Michael Guerin.

AgForce chief executive Michael Guerin will step down later in 2025 after eight years at the helm.

Guerin, (illustrated) who started the job in 2017 says his immediate focus is for a “strong and good dismount.”

“Not sure exactly what follows but keen to stay with an industry I strongly believe in – in some capacity,” he says.

The Queensland farmers’ lobby group will soon start looking for a replacement to ensure a smooth transition later this year.

AgForce general president Shane McCarthy paid tribute to Guerin’s strong contribution and leadership in his eight years in the role.

“Michael has been our longest serving CEO and leaves the organisation in strong shape and with our collective best wishes,” McCarthy says.

“He leaves knowing the organisation is in a great position thanks to the many pivotal decisions and achievements he made in his time at the helm.”

AgForce chief executive Michael Guerin.

Some of Guerin’s main wins was the early support of AgCarE – a nationwide assessment and certification process developed which values the natural capital of agricultural properties. He also led the battle save the Great Artesian Basin from mining.

Guerin says it’s been a privilege to lead the organisation that truly represented Queensland farmers across a diverse range of agricultural industries.

“Producers are an amazing group of people, they play a critical role in food and fibre security and are the unsung heroes in environmental management,” he says.

New signing

Personal injury law firm Travis Schultz & Partners has reinforced its reputation as Queensland’s leading personal injury law firm with the appointment of Special Counsel Amanda Gilmour.

The appointment increases its team of QLS Accredited Specialists in Personal Injury Law

to eight, the highest number of any firm in the state.

With more than 17 years of experience exclusively in plaintiff personal injury law, Gilmour was with Shine Lawyers for almost 14 years.

Travis Shultz & Partners managing partner Travis Schultz says her arrival marks an important milestone in the firm’s growth and strategic direction.

“Amanda is an exceptional lawyer – highly credentialed and deeply principled. We’re

thrilled that someone of her calibre, who also aligns so perfectly with our vision and

purpose, has chosen to join TSP,” he says.

Travis Schultz & Partners managing partner Travis Schultz.

Merger success

Two years on from the merger that created Australia’s largest customer-owned bank, People First Bank says it’s celebrating strong growth and major investment in digital transformation to deliver simpler, smarter banking for its customers.

Formed in March 2023 through the merger of Heritage Bank and People’s Choice Credit Union, People First Bank has more than 700,000 customers and about $25.5bn in total assets.

The bank is now accelerating a new phase of technology investment and innovation. A next-

generation Mobile App and upgraded internet banking platform will launch in coming months,

alongside a new lending system to make it easier and faster to access finance – online, over the phone or in person.

Chief executive Steve Laidlaw says they’re proud to be delivering a customer-owned alternative.

“Over the past two years, we have made strong progress in modernising our systems and

simplifying our processes, while staying true to the values and culture that set us apart,” he says.

“We’ve grown our customer base, lending and deposits, supported our people, and invested in the regions that helped build us.”

Steve Laidlaw chief executive of People First Bank.

Originally published as AgForce chief executive Michael Guerin will step down from the job later this year