Supply chain leaders appointed to IFPA ANZ board

The International Fresh Produce Association ANZ (IFPA ANZ) has appointed two prominent leaders from distinct sectors of the fresh produce and floral industry to its board of directors.

The appointments of Lynch Group Australia CEO David Di Pietro and Steritech Fresh Produce Business Manager Ben Reilly were announced at IFPA ANZ’s annual general meeting, hosted at its new office in East Melbourne on 15 May. The appointments take immediate effect.

Reilly has led the development of phytosanitary irradiation in Australia for the past 10 years in his work with Steritech, claimed to be the Asia–Pacific region’s largest contract sterilisation and decontamination processor and one of the largest worldwide.

Ben Reilly.

Reilly was an early participant in both the IFPA (formerly PMA) Foundation for Industry Talent and Emerging Leaders’ programs and has volunteered as a mentor and a committee member.

His work has been instrumental in positioning Australia as a global leader in phytosanitary irradiation and his development of a QR code labelling system to meet food standards requirements was critical to Australia’s two largest retailers adopting the treatment in 2024.

Prior to joining Steritech, Reilly managed retail relationships and business development in the USA for Giumarra Companies.

“IFPA is a unique organisation that unites the best of our global industry and welcomes participation from the entire supply chain. IFPA has had a constant presence in my career and I’m honoured to join IFPA ANZ board,” Reilly said.

“I look forward to drawing on my experience in developing phytosanitary irradiation to support IFPA’s leading role as a facilitator of relationships, technology and innovation in our industry,” he said.

Di Pietro, who is a Certified Practising Accountant, joined the Australian floral wholesaler in 2016 and has held senior executive roles across the Australian manufacturing, retail and FMCG sectors with companies such as BHP, Woolworths, George Weston Foods and Breville.

David Di Pietro.

“I’m excited to join the IFPA ANZ board as a representative of the floral category and to support the broader fresh produce industry. Flowers are a key component of fresh produce retail, often serving as an emotional purchase and setting the tone for a shopper’s perception of freshness,” Di Pietro said.

Lynch Group has been a member of IFPA ANZ (formerly the Produce Marketing Association) since 2007 and was among the member businesses to bring the PMA to Australia and New Zealand. Steritech has been a member of the association since 2016.

“The IFPA ANZ board reflects the strength and diversity of our industry, with leaders from across the supply chain. David Di Pietro and Ben Reilly bring a wealth of experience and industry leadership to the board, and I look forward to working with them to help guide the association,” IFPA ANZ Chair Dean Gall said.

IFPA Managing Director ANZ Belinda Wilson said: “David Di Pietro and Ben Reilly’s appointments reflect our commitment to representative governance across the full value chain. Our focus remains on building value through connection, advocacy and insight, and ensuring our efforts are grounded in what matters most to industry.

“David and Ben bring deep expertise from across the floral, biosecurity and postharvest sectors, strengthening the breadth of experience around our board table,” she said.

Top image credit: iStock.com/andresr