AFGC appoints Colm Maguire as new Chief Executive Officer

After an extensive recruitment process, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has appointed Colm Maguire as its Chief Executive Officer.

After joining the AFGC in July 2024 as Chief Operating Officer and Company Secretary, Maguire was appointed interim CEO in January 2025. 

Prior to this he has had leadership experience across various sectors, including 10 years as the CEO of Touch Football Australia and seven years at the Pharmacy Guild of Australia as a Group Executive and COO, where he led transformation programs and cultural improvements. 

In his role as interim CEO, Maguire has been a collaborative and progressive leader as the AFGC marks its 30th anniversary at the upcoming Food and Grocery Australia conference. He has also been engaging with members as the organisation partners with broader industry colleagues and the newly elected Labor government to support the food and grocery supply industry.

“I’m very humbled and energised to be taking on this exciting challenge,” Maguire said. “When it comes to delivering for members, I believe the best results come from deliberate engagement, understanding and genuine partnership. I will lead with collaboration as a default — because that’s exactly what this industry needs to tackle the complex issues it faces amid rising global uncertainty.”

The Chair of the AFGC Board, Anthony Holme, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Colm as CEO. Over the past year as COO, and most recently as interim CEO, Colm has demonstrated outstanding leadership grounded in empathy, collaboration and decisiveness. He is an experienced and authentic leader who brings a strong commitment to innovation, stakeholder engagement and strategic progress.”