Pork CRC welcomes new appointment

Charles Rikard-Bell has been appointed Manager, Commercialisation and Research Impact at Cooperative Research Centre for High Integrity Australian Pork (Pork CRC).

Pork CRC CEO Roger Campbell said Dr Rikard-Bell’s role would be to generate revenue from those Pork CRC research outcomes with identified genuine commercial potential.

“Charles will also work with our scientists to develop R&D projects with greater emphasis on commercial outcomes,” Dr Campbell said.

“We have a number of valuable outcomes and deals on the books, including AusScan Online, a patent on enhancing reproduction, a performance enhancer for pigs at weaning, a technology for enriching the environment of sows and weaner pigs, a quantitative PCR for Lawsonia and other diagnostic tests related to animal health and even the health of biodigesters, including covered ponds.”

For the past 11 years Dr Rikard-Bell has worked for Elanco Animal Health, a division of Eli Lilly, with its Australian Pig and Poultry livestock team as Account Manager and Technical Consultant, before his most recent regional role as Marketing Manager — Swine for the Asia Pacific Rim.

He did his PhD with the first Pork CRC and has a wealth of knowledge of the Australian and Asian pork industries.

“Charles will bring considerable research and industry experience to our scientists and students and play a major role in the transition from the Pork CRC to an alternative R&D model for the industry over the CRC’s remaining four years,” Dr Campbell said.

Image caption: Dr Charles Rikard-Bell, Manager, Commercialisation and Research Impact, Pork CRC