AWI snubs Dr Paul Swan in board nominations

Wool growers have backed a former AWI employee for election to the board. But the research and marketing body has not endorsed the candidacy.

A former head of research for Australian Wool Innovation has received grower backing but not that of his former employer for the upcoming elections to the organisation.

This week, WoolProducers Australia backed Dr Paul Swan as one of its three preferred candidates for the AWI board director election, alongside existing director Dr Michelle Humphries and wool grower Anthony Uren.

Dr Swan was a former general manager of research with AWI but the organisation opted not to recommend him for one of the three positions available at the upcoming election.

AWI backed the recommendations of the Board Nominating Committee who instead backed Chris Mirams, as well as Dr Humphries and Mr Uren saying they were the “most suitable”.

“While the other candidates interviewed by the BNC had diverse skills and experience relevant to the wool industry and the skills matrix, they were regarded as being less suitable for the role as director than the recommended candidates based on the key criteria and skills mix under consideration,” the committee statement said.

WoolProducers Australia has backed one different candidate to Australian Wool Innovation for the upcoming board elections.

WPA president Steve Harrison said their nominations would complement the existing skill set “along with the potential of bringing much needed technical and research expertise”.

“WoolProducers are firm in the belief that there is enough wool production knowledge on the AWI board and that other skills are needed to help the company meet both national and international needs of levy payers and customers,” Mr Harrison said.

The WPA recommendations were made after seeking responses from all candidates, covering

issues such as governance, research, development and marketing priorities, stakeholder engagement and collaboration.

“The industry continues to face numerous and ongoing challenges which must be addressed head on,” Mr Harrison said.

“With a shrinking industry and continued pressures on those growers who remain, we can no longer afford to maintain status quo – the culture and direction of AWI must change.”

Dr Swan told The Weekly Times the BNC process was “not as independent as it could be” but was keen to still be on the board.

“There’s an old saying that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result,” Dr Swan said.

“I hope to be part of a process of change, to be a disrupter and encourage growers to vote for me and help me make a difference to the wool industry in a positive way.”

Ballot papers have been made available to registered shareholders.

The AWI annual general meeting will be held on Friday, November 17 and proxy voting closes 48 hours prior on November 15 at 10am.