GPSA to farewell inaugural CEO
Nov 21, 2017
The Board of Grain Producers SA today announced that the organisation’s inaugural Chief Executive Officer, Darren Arney, will be moving on from the role next month.
GPSA was established in March 2012 and Mr Arney has been with the organisation since it started. He will move to take on a grower services role within the Grains Research and Development Corporation, based in Adelaide.
Chairman Wade Dabinett thanked Darren for his many years of service to GPSA, as well as in the months prior to GPSA, when he helped the grain growers who established the organisation.
“Darren has a deep knowledge of the grains sector, having worked previously in the agronomy, finance and grain marketing side of the industry,” Mr Dabinett said. “He worked with the inaugural board and chair Garry Hansen to establish GPSA, including its mission and priorities.
“In Darren’s more than five-and-a-half years with GPSA, there have been many achievements.
“In particular, Darren worked with bulk handlers and Grain Trade Australia to upgrade the quality classification of Scout wheat from APW to AH. The upgrade equated to millions of dollars extra for South Australian growers.
“Darren was part of the team which lobbied the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to maintain access to crop protection products, such as diuron, which were under review.
“SA grain producers gained an extra $90 million at harvest 2014-15 because of the change to an auction system for allocation shipping slots. Through Darren, GPSA’s continued communication with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission helped bring about the change, which increased competition for grain to fill allocated places.
“We wish Darren all the best in his new role and thank him for his achievements through advocating on behalf of SA’s grain producers.”
Mr Hansen said he looked forward to working with Darren in the future in his new role.
"Darren went above and beyond what you would normally expect from a CEO when GPSA first started. It was a personal goal of his to get GPSA up and functioning and to his credit that’s what happened. It’s been a fantastic journey and I wish him all the best,” he said.
Mr Arney said he was proud to be involved with GPSA since its early beginnings and thanked the board and members for their support during his time at GPSA and in the transition to his next role.
“I have enjoyed the opportunity to advocate on behalf of SA’s grain producers and have valued developing a great network of advocacy groups with Primary Producers SA, Grain Producers Australia and more recently National Farmers Federation,” Mr Arney said.
“I’m looking forward to continuing my association with grain producers and will be working between them and researchers to identify agronomic and production issues and deliver efficient extension of solutions, in addition to communication in key areas that impact financial performance.”
Mr Arney finishes at GPSA on December 15. GPSA will begin the recruitment process with the view to appointing a new CEO in early 2018.
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