Antony Allen resigns as Avocados Australia CEO

Avocados Australia’s Board of Directors today announced that Antony Allen has resigned as Chief Executive Officer, a position he has held for almost a decade. The Board has begun an intensive selection process to appoint a new CEO in the coming months.

“Antony’s extraordinary vision and leadership guided Avocados Australia to its position as a strong and effective peak industry body, envied by many other industries in horticulture” commented Jim Kochi, Chairman of Avocados Australia, on behalf of the Avocados Australia Board. “He will certainly be missed here at Avocados Australia for the quality of the work he did on behalf of all Australian avocado growers and for the friendship he shared with many of them. We wish Antony great success as he seeks new challenges.”

Antony joined the avocado industry in 2002 as the CEO of the Australian Avocado Growers Federation (AAGF). Antony was instrumental in a move to restructure the AAGF to allow grower-members direct and equal access to their national organisation, and in 2003 became CEO of the newly formed Avocados Australia. His decision will end a distinguished career with the organisation.

Antony’s strong focus has been on guiding the industry’s ‘research and development’ and ‘promotion’ program to assist sustainable growth and development within the Australian avocado industry. From 2002 to 2012 the Australian avocado industry has grown from a farm gate value of $60 million to $215 million.

Antony is also the President of the International Avocado Society, Chair of the International Avocado Research Consortium and has served on numerous committees within horticulture, including the Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) Across Industry Committee.

“It’s been fantastic working with Avocado Australia, we have achieved so much over the years. The Australian avocado industry is a growing, progressive, profitable and sustainable industry and a leader in product, supply chain and industry development innovation. It will only continue to grow,” said Mr Allen.

Mr Allen will stay on board at the Avocados Australia office to smooth out the hand over process to the new CEO.

For more information:

Antony Allen
Chief Executive Officer
Avocados Australia
Tel: +61 (0)7 3846 6566
Mob: +61 (0)438 132 477
Email: [email protected]

Courtney Vane
Communications Officer
Avocados Australia
Tel: +61 (0)73846 6566
Mob: +61 (0)488 384 222
Email: [email protected]