Our Board

CRDC has an eight-member Board, consisting of a Chair (appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry), the Executive Director (selected by the Board) and six non-executive Directors nominated by an independent Selection Committee.

Appointment of non-executive Directors is subject to Ministerial approval and directors (other than the Executive Director) are appointed for three-year terms.

The CRDC Board is governed by a Charter of Corporate Governance. This document consolidates the policies and procedures for the Board and all Board Committees: Audit, Intellectual Property and Commercialisation, and Remuneration.

Mr Richard Haire - Chair. BEc, FAICD, FAIM.

Richard Haire Mr Haire has held many leadership positions within the cotton industry, most recently as Managing Director and regional head of Olam International, a global leader in the supply chain management of agricultural products and food ingredients. He was formerly the Chief Executive of Queensland Cotton Corporation Pty Ltd and a member of the Rabo Australia Food and Agribusiness Advisory Board. Mr Haire is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Institute of Management. He formerly served as a Director on the CRDC board from 2011 to 2014.

Appointed: 29/08/2016 until 29/08/2019.

Reappointed: 29/08/2019 until 29/08/2022.

Reappointed: 29/08/2022 until 28/08/2025.

Mr Ross Burnett - Non-Executive Director. BAgSc, GAICD.

Ross Burnett Mr Burnett has considerable experience in crop production, having successfully operated and grown his cropping business in Emerald QLD for over 16 years. Mr Burnett primarily farms cotton on his myBMP certified property and has developed extensive hands on knowledge of cotton production over the years by being heavily involved in all areas of the process. Beyond the farm gate, he has been an active advocate for the cotton industry, representing the industry at local, state and national levels. He has a passion for sustainability and research implementing both in his farming business and being a grower representative for the industry in these areas.

His understanding of corporate governance, business management and stakeholder engagement has been developed through operating his own business and past/current board and executive roles, including as the Vice President of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation; the former President of the Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association; a grower representative for Cotton Australia; Director of the Local Management Arrangements Board for Emerald; and Chair of the CRDC Industry Research Advisory Panel. Mr Burnett holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Appointed: 01/10/2020 until 30/09/2023.

Reappointed: 01/10/2023 until 30/09/2026.

Ms Julie Bird - Non-Executive Director. BTeach, MBA (Exec), GAICD.

Ms Bird is an experienced Non-Executive Director in the agribusiness sector, with a broad background in the Australian horticulture industry. She is the current Chair of Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited and owner of retail floristry business 'Say It With Flowers'.

Her prior roles include Non-Executive Director and Deputy Chair of Plant Health Australia, CEO of the Almond Board of Australia, and Non-Executive Director of United Almonds Limited and the Australian Nut Industry Council. She also served as Independent Chair of the Australian Apple and Pear Industry Advisory Committee and the South Australian Apiary Industry Advisory Group. She previously held a management role with Quality Fruit Marketing and provided agribusiness consultance in strategic planning and risk management.

Ms Bird is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Bachelor of Teaching degree and a Master of Business Administration (Executive).