Leadership Team

David Harris was appointed Managing Director and CEO of Australian Agricultural Company on 27 September 2022.

He first joined AACo in 2016 in a contract capacity reporting to the CEO and Board of Directors to improve operational aspects of the business, before being appointed as the Chief Operating Officer in March 2020.

With extensive supply chain experience across various aspects of Australian agriculture, David has developed a broad depth of knowledge in the operation of large-scale intensive animal production systems. He previously held executive positions with Stanbroke, Smithfield Cattle Co. and running his private agricultural consultancy business and family farming operations in central west, New South Wales.

David understands the importance of optimising and making value chains more efficient and sustainable and has a verifiable track record of building & operating agricultural supply chains and infrastructure projects. As an Executive, David is experienced in the development and implementation of strategies and business plans focused on achieving improved profitability, efficiency and value creation in new products. He understands dynamic vertically integrated supply chains and the challenges that face businesses delivering a consistent product with variable production.

David holds a Bachelor of Rural Science from the University of New England, specialising in ruminant nutrition and meat science.

Andrew was appointed Chief Commercial Officer in January 2019.

He joins AACo from ASX-listed Treasury Wine Estates, where he spent almost a decade in senior roles with responsibility for the commercial, marketing and sales functions in a diversity of markets spanning TWE’s worldwide business. He most recently served as executive vice president of the Americas, where he oversaw the growth of the business in the key US, Canadian, as well as South American markets. Andrew was previously based in Singapore, where he oversaw over 44 markets across SE Asia, Japan, Korea, India, Africa and the Middle East. Andrew was previously a general manager for Fosters Group and Southcorp Wines, focused on the Australasian markets.

Andrew is a graduate of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jacqui joined AACo in January 2020 and has held various roles throughout her tenure.  She was appointed to the Executive Team in April 2021.  She is currently the Executive General Manager, Corporate Services with responsibility for Environment & Sustainability;  Health, Safety & Wellbeing; New Ventures & Innovation; Government & Media Relations and Change & Project Delivery.  Jacqui has more than 30 years’ experience in Finance and Human Resources and has held senior roles in a number of organisations spanning professional services, banking, insurance and agriculture.

Sarah Hackett was appointed to the role of Director People and Culture in April 2022. Sarah joined AACo in August 2020 and held the role of Head of Human Resources prior to her current appointment.

Sarah has more than 20 years’ experience in Human Resources and Operations and has a held number of senior roles in iconic quick service restaurant businesses in Australia including KFC and Starbucks.

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Business, Human Resources from Griffith University, and Masters of Management from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management.

Glen joined AACo as the Chief Financial Officer on 13 February 2023. Glen comes to AACo with over 30 years of domestic and international experience with extensive financial and commercial expertise in diverse industry sectors including property, infrastructure, rail, logistics and aviation.

Most recently Glen played a significant role in the Virgin Australia administration and subsequent transformation and privatisation of Pacific National where he held Chief Financial Officer and Chief Commercial Officer roles. Prior to this, Glen’s experience included 16 years with Lend Lease involved a wide range of property and infrastructure related projects where he joined from KPMG.

Glen is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia. He graduated university with a Bachelor of Business Degree (Accounting and Finance).

Michael Johnson was appointed Executive General Manager – Pastoral on 14 February 2023.

Michael Joined AACo in February 2010 as Station Manager Avon and Austral Downs, before relocating to Brunette Downs as Station Manager in 2011. In 2014 Michael took on the additional role as Regional Manager for the Barkly Region and then in 2020 was promoted to Head of Pastoral.

Prior to this Michael worked for Stanbroke Pastoral Company where he gained extensive experience in the Australian cattle industry, progressing his career from stockman into management roles across a number of enterprises throughout Northern Australia.

Michael is passionate about northern beef production systems and the development of people within it. He is active in the local community donating time to various community organisations and events.

Michael is an executive of the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association.

Andrew was appointed Executive General Manager, Supply Chain Operations in July 2023, after joining AACo as Head of Intensive in February 2023.

Prior to joining AACo, Andrew worked at Bindaree Beef as Group Livestock Manager. He managed the integrated supply chain side of the business, which included backgrounding, feedlotting and processing, with a focus on cattle performance. During his time at Bindaree Andrew built an extensive understanding of supply chains and the EU, Grainfed and Grassfed programs, along with Export and Domestic markets. Andrew was also responsible for livestock procurement for the different supply chains.

Andrew also has extensive experience in property management including both irrigated and dryland grain growing along with pasture development for beef production. He has dedicated his career of over 30 years to agriculture.

Emily Bird was appointed Company Secretary and General Counsel of AACo in February 2024. Before joining AACo, Emily was the General Counsel and Company Secretary of the Michael Hill Group, a jewellery retailer operating a network of stores across Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Emily has broad legal experience across a number of customer and brand focussed industries, including at Lactalis Australia (previously Parmalat Australia and part of the Lactalis Group, the world’s largest fresh dairy company) and Virgin Blue (now Virgin Australia), having started her career at top-tier firm Clayton Utz.

Emily holds a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance, and has completed the Company Directors Course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors.