AFGC appoints new CEO

The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) Board has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer. Gary Dawson will commence as CEO on 30 July 2012.

Dawson has most recently been the senior executive in charge of corporate affairs, communications and strategy with Thales Australia. Prior to this he held a similar position at the ABC managing strategy and communications.

He has also worked as a government advisor, spending five years as a senior advisor to John Howard and four to ACT Chief Minister Kate Carnell.

“Gary brings tremendous experience and proven success at senior executive levels in both the public and private sectors, with a career spanning media, politics and business. Importantly, he also has experience in an industry body, having worked as Director of Communications at the NSW Law Society,” said AFGC Chairperson John Doumani.

Doumani also acknowledged the leadership of Acting Chief Executive Dr Geoffrey Annison. “Geoffrey is a great asset to the AFGC with tremendous knowledge of our industry and commitment to its ongoing growth,” Doumani said.

“The Board thanks him for providing steady leadership to the organisation until Gary’s arrival and we are delighted that Geoffrey will continue as Deputy CEO beyond that date.”