AFGC promises two dedicated SME Board seats

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) will have stronger representation on the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) Board, following changes to the Board’s composition.

Terry O’Brien, AFGC Chair and Simplot Australia Managing Director, announced that the AFGC Board will fully fund two board seats for AFGC members from organisations with sales less than $50 million.

“The decision is a positive step that will give us insight into the particular challenges SME companies face in the food and grocery industry, and further enhances representation across all our membership,” O’Brien said.

“The AFGC has historically managed to attract some great talent to the Board from representatives of SME companies. Yet these changes will ensure that the AFGC Board will continue to represent its members that range from some of the largest globally significant multinational companies through to small and medium enterprises.”

54% of AFGC membership falls into the small to medium-sized company bracket, O’Brien said, so the AFGC is developing a range of services to reflect the needs of smaller food and grocery companies.

“The decision to enhance and support SME representation on the Board is one of many avenues we are undertaking to engage smaller companies that do not necessarily have the resources to keep up to speed with industry and regulatory developments and their implications for business,” O’Brien said.

“This initiative, combined with the AFGC SME Forum, a peer to peer group focused on emerging issues that may impact manufacturers and suppliers, is to be encouraged to ensure that SME members’ voices are heard on the current critical issues.”