Food & Agribusiness Network appoints new chair

Jacqui Price, Chair of Food & Agribusiness Network (FAN), has stepped down as Chair of the organisation and will be passing the baton to business leader David Hoath.

Appointed to the board in 2017, Price is FAN’s longest serving director. The Queensland organisation was restructured under her leadership so its operating model could be rolled out regionally across the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Noosa and Moreton Bay.

In November 2020, Price was appointed to the role of Chair.

“It has been an honour to be a part of an organisation that has the food and agribusiness sector at its very heart,” she said.

“By creating a connected, collaborative community, we were able to curate specific programs that have helped many of our members grow and scale and to be ready when buyers have come looking for bespoke, Queensland-made products and produce.

“Importantly, people from all over the world now know of and desire products that are created in our region. We really have cemented our place as a food destination, and I am incredibly proud of that.”

Price said the timing was right to hand over the reins to someone who will continue growing the vision of the business and further expand on the export capabilities that exist for food producers in the region.

David Hoath will take the helm as Chair. He is a business leader with extensive experience in change management, government and media relations.

“[Hoath’s] appointment reflects FAN’s commitment to attracting and retaining a dynamic and experienced skills-based board in order to maintain our prominent position in the industry,” Price said.

Hoath will take on the role following the AGM in November.

“I am delighted to be appointed as Chair of FAN and am looking forward to enhancing what is already a stellar reputation as we look to build upon and grow the many innovative initiatives that have defined our success to date,” he said.