National Farmers' Federation CEO quits after just four months in role

The chief executive of Australia's peak farming organisation has departed the organisation after just four months in charge.

NFF CEO Troy Williams has tendered his resignation, effective immediately.

The chief executive of Australia’s peak farming lobby will leave the organisation after just four months in the job.

In a letter to the board and stakeholders, seen by The Weekly Times, National Farmers’ Federation president David Jochinke confirmed that CEO Troy Williams had tendered his resignation, which is understood to be effective immediately.

Mr Jochinke said the board had accepted Mr Williams’ decision, which was made “for personal reasons”.

“We thank Mr Williams for his contribution and wish him the very best for the future,” the letter reads.

“The board will commence recruitment for the new CEO, mindful of the NFF AGM in October. In the meantime, we will appoint an interim CEO to ensure leadership and operational continuity. While leadership transitions are significant, I am proud of our experienced and committed team. It’s business as usual in our work for members and the agricultural sectors.”

Mr Williams’ LinkedIn profile was this week updated to list July 2025 as the end of his tenure with the NFF. He is now described on the platform as an “Association Management Professional”.

He was announced as CEO in January and began in March, succeeding long-time chief executive Tony Mahar, who is now the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner.

Mr Williams was previously CEO of the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia for six years, and earlier led the Australian Dental Industry Association and Skill360 Australia.

At the time of his appointment, Mr Jochinke said Mr Williams was “recognised for his exceptional ability to bring stakeholders together” and had more than two decades’ experience working with highly regulated, trade-exposed industries.

“This will allow him to work with the NFF Board and member organisations to create an environment in which agriculture can thrive sustainably,” Mr Jochinke said at the time.

“Over more than two decades, Troy has been a champion for businesses in highly regulated and trade-exposed industries, addressing issues ranging from product regulation and international trade agreements to workforce planning and skills development.”

Charlie Thomas, NFF’s former deputy CEO under Mr Mahar, has since become chief executive of the Victorian Farmers Federation.

It has been a turbulent 12 months for the NFF.

In September last year, the Victorian Farmers Federation gave its 12-month notice to quit the NFF, saying it was “out of alignment” with the national lobby. NSW Farmers followed in April this year, citing inefficiencies in the national advocacy model “for some years now”.