As the global population grows from around 8 billion today to nearly 10 billion by 2050, increasing the capacity and productivity of the world’s food production systems will be crucial to meet the rapidly increasing demand for food. This growth poses both challenges and opportunities for farmers, agribusinesses, financiers, and governments.
According to the International Institute for Sustainable Development, there is an estimated US$260 billion annual investment shortfall that must be addressed to meet zero hunger targets by 2030. Additionally, ANZ estimates that to reach a goal of $100 million in Gross Value of Production (GVP) by 2030, Australian agriculture will need an extra $284 billion to grow agricultural productivity over the decade to 2030, more than doubling the growth seen in the 2010s.
The Investment Case for Australian Agriculture
In this context, the Australian Agriculture industry offers a diversity of investment opportunities both large and small scale, across traditional production business models and newly emerging businesses and technologies. Additionally, it enables investors to diversify across a wide range of commodity types, geographic regions and markets.
The industry also is uniquely placed to offer ESG benefits by being embedded in rural communities and supporting them as part of the local economy. Furthermore, from an environmental perspective, agricultural land-based assets have the potential in the right circumstances for carbon sequestration, offsetting carbon emissions.
Sustainability and Returns
Agriculture in Australia presents many positive examples of undertaking business practices that are environmentally sustainable, are good for the environment and contribute toward lowering their own carbon footprint, as the industry understands better than most that the health of the environment and ecosystems they operate in are critical to their future.
And from a financial perspective, Australian agriculture has historically offered investors the potential for sound returns over the long term, with the ANREV Australian Farmland Index as of Q4 2024 recording a total annualised return of 9.67% since its inception in 2015. All while agriculture as an asset class generally exhibits characteristics of low correlation when compared to other major asset classes.
Good for People, Good for the Environment & Good for Business
With a breadth of opportunities for investment to scale-up and drive productivity in food production, combined with strong alignment with responsible environmental business practices, carbon sequestration opportunities and positive social impact, Australian agriculture is well positioned to play a part in the solution to drive Australia towards its net-zero targets and feed the world’s growing population. All the while being good for people, good for the environment and good for business.
FRIDAY, 29th August
2025 Preliminary Draft Program
(Subject to change)
11:30am – 11:50am
Registration and Welcome Drinks
11:30AM - 11:50AM
Start your Summit experience in the Upper Foyer. Collect your name badge, grab a welcome drink, and start connecting with fellow guests as we prepare for a day of ideas, insights, and industry-shaping discussions.
12:00pm – 12:15pm
Craig Zonca, MC
Brendan Goulding, Bentleys Queensland
Stephen Bennett, MP, Member for Burnett
Welcome to the Summit
12:00pm – 12:15pm
Craig Zonca, Stephen Bennett, and co-host Brendan Goulding from Bentleys Queensland will officially welcome you to a day exploring current and future issues shaping investment and sustainability in Australian agriculture.
12:15pm - 12:20pm
A Word from our Community Impact Partner: Foodbank Queensland
12:15pm - 12:20pm
Hear about some of the amazing work that Foodbank Queensland is doing to reduce waste – helping feed 48,000 Queenslanders and 33,000 school kids every week through the power of community and compassion.
12:20pm - 12:25pm
Sean Cummings, Royal International Convention Centre
AGIS Summit Menu: The Delights that Await
12:20pm - 12:25pm
Chef Sean will pre-empt your taste buds’ amazing journey ahead with our 3-course lunch – all with a focus on the menu items being locally sourced and supporting Australian farmers.
12:25pm – 12:45pm
Facilitated by Brian Healey, Global Co-Lead Partner of Agriculture, K&L Gates
Keynote Guest: Bert Glover, CEO – Impact Ag Partners
Fireside Chat: An investor’s journey working with Aussie Agriculture
12:25pm – 12:45pm
A great opportunity to hear directly from one of Australia’s most prominent Ag investors. They share their story on the challenges and shared achievements with the Ag industry and the communities they work in, and their views on the future of the industry going forward.
12:45pm - 12:50pm
A Word from our Natural Capital Impact Partner: Sea Forest Foundation
12:45pm - 12:50pm
Hear about some of the amazing work that the Sea Forest Foundation is doing in our communities.
12:50pm – 1:40pm
Kristina Hermanson, Head of APAC and Africa – Nuveen Natural Capital
Colin Rigg, Head of Agriculture – ANZ Macquarie
Bradley Wheaton, Co-Managing Director, Gunn Agri Partners & Director, Cunningham Cattle Co
Ben Cameron, Managing Partner – Bentleys Queensland
Panel 1: Headwinds & Tailwinds
Navigating the Forces Shaping Australian Agriculture
Moderated by Pip Courtney
12:50pm – 1:40pm
From shifting geopolitics to ongoing wars and the push to net-zero, Australian agriculture has seen many forces at play creating a business environment littered with opportunity and risk over the last 12 months. We unpack the headwinds and tailwinds from these new global forces with some of the most experienced industry operators and investors in Australian agriculture. Hear their perspectives on what these developments will have on the opportunities and challenges for the Australian agriculture industry, as well as the implications for investment into it.
1:40pm - 1:50pm
Table Networking
1:40pm - 1:50pm
A brief break to enjoy lunch and network with your fellow guests.
1:50pm – 2:40pm
Nigel Pannett, Managing Director – Compass Agri Australia
Sam Elsom, CEO & Founder – Sea Forest
Daniel Hough, Co-Managing Director, Gunn Agri Partners and Director & Portfolio Manager, Wollemi Farms
Andrew Tout, Head of Agriculture – Centuria
Panel 2: Regenerative Agriculture & ESG in Australian Ag
Good for the Environment, Good for People, and Good for Business.
Moderated by Lucy Kinbacher
1:50pm – 2:40pm
Regenerative Agriculture and ESG practices are playing an increasingly important role in farming operations and have an important story to tell – to consumers and investors alike. We have assembled a panel of innovators across Australian farming and investment to share their story on why and how they have embedded Regenerative Agriculture and ESG practices into their businesses and how it has been good for the environment, good for people and good for business.
2:40pm - 2:45pm
Heather Stott, Royal Flying Doctor Service
(Queensland Section)
A Word from our Social Impact Partner: Royal Flying Doctors (Queensland Section)
2:40pm - 2:45pm
Hear about some of the amazing work that the RFDS is doing in our regional communities – truly Angels with wings.
2:45pm - 3:35pm
Justin McGowan, CEO – Trade and Investment Queensland
Troy Setter, CEO – Consolidated Pastoral Company
Su McCluskey, Director – Australian Unity & Special Rep for Australian Agriculture – Australian Government
Steve Jarrott, Portfolio Manager, Diversified Agriculture – Warakirri Asset Management
Panel 3: Sustaining AGtrade
2:45pm - 3:35pm
Navigating the New World of Food & Farming Trade
Moderated by Kate Banville
In 2025, global trade has become more complex and more uncertain than ever. From new tariff regimes, to climate legislation, ongoing wars and unprecedented weather events, Australian agriculture is facing a world of shifting rules, rising risks and emerging opportunities.
The Sustaining AGtrade panel features international trade experts from industry and government delving into these issues and their current impacts on agricultural trade. The panel will also explore future trade relations with Australia’s trade partners, and how ESG issues will shape our future food and agriculture trade prospects going forward – and possible ramifications for investment in global agriculture.
3:35pm – 3:45pm
Closing Remarks
3:35pm – 3:45pm
Final reflections from our MC, on behalf of your co-hosts — and what comes next.
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Outback Sundowner: Post-Summit Networking
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Jubilee Hotel, Fortitude Valley
The conversation doesn’t end here. Join us just down the road for relaxed drinks, fresh connections, and plenty of food for thought after a big day of ideas and insights. This is included in the ticket for all AGIS Summit attendees.
Add-on networking session
(Subject to change)
10:30am – 11:30am
Liz Brookes, General Manager – Marketing – Grove Fruit Juice
Phillip Banks, Savages Coffee
Moderated by Craig Zonca
Coffee Connections Smoko
10:30am – 11:30am
Royal International Convention Centre
Supercharge your networking at our all-new Coffee Connections Smoko morning tea. Get a head-start on your networking for the day with the opportunity to meet your fellow Summit attendees in person over a local Brisbane grown and barista made coffee.
You will also be treated to a fireside chat featuring some of the businesses behind the food and beverages served at the Summit and their quest to produce the highest quality products, with sustainable production practices at the forefront of their business mindset.
Hear from 2 local home-grown Aussie beverage businesses – Grove Fruit Juice and Savages Coffee. They will share their inspiring stories of their unique business journeys and success to date. Hear also about how sustainability is put into practice in their operations and insights on their philosophies on running an agribusinesses in today’s marketplace to produce the best products possible for Aussies consumers. Hear all of this while enjoying their juice and coffee during the session – a beverage match made in heaven for our Smoko! Places are limited!!
Our Speakers
Colin Rigg
Managing Director, Macquarie Asset Management
Colin heads the Agriculture business within Macquarie Asset Management (MAM), overseeing a diverse team and portfolio…
Kristina Hermanson
Head of APAC and Africa, Nuveen Natural Capital
Kristina Hermanson is the Head of APAC and Africa at Nuveen Natural Capital. She targets growth in the region in farmland …
Bert Glover
Director, Impact Ag Partners
As Impact Ag Partners’ founder, and CEO of our US operations, Bert leads the firm’s investment in agriculture as a nature and …
Troy Setter
Chief Executive Officer, Consolidated Pastoral Company (CPC)
Troy joined Consolidated Pastoral Company (CPC) in 2014 and is a top cattlemen and agribusiness leader who is well-renowned…
Nigel Pannett
Owner & Managing Director, Compass Agri Australia
From growing up on a dairy farm on New Zealand’s South Island, to founding leading Australian agri-business…
Su McCluskey
Special Representative, Australian Agriculture & Director, Australian Unity
Su McCluskey is the former Special Representative for Australian Agriculture, the Chair of the Crawford…
Sam Elsom
CEO & Founder, Sea Forest
Sam Elsom is a passionate environmentalist with over 15 years experience in sustainability. Having founded one…
Justin McGowan
Chief Executive Officer, Trade Investment Queensland
With significant international trade experience, Justin was appointed to the leadership role to drive Queensland’s investment…
Heather Stott
General Manager of Major Relationships, Royal Flying Doctors Service (Queensland Section)
Heather Stott leads major donor and stakeholder engagement for the Royal Flying Doctor…
Bradley Wheaton
Co-Managing Director, Gunn Agri Partners & Director, Cunningham Cattle Co
Gunn Agri has as investors and shareholders the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation and…
Liz Brookes
General Manager of Marketing, Grove Juice
Liz Brookes is the General Manager of Marketing at Grove Juice, a vertically integrated fresh juice and drinks business…
Steve Jarrott
Portfolio Manager, Diversified Agriculture, Warakirri Asset Management
Steve joined Warakirri in 2019 and is one of Australia’s leading Agricultural investment professionals with over a decade…
Andrew Tout
Head of Agriculture, Centuria Capital Limited
Andrew is Head of Agriculture, responsible for sourcing and overseeing three unlisted pure-play agriculture funds across Australia…
Daniel Hough
Co-Managing Director, Gunn Agri Partners and Director & Portfolio Manager, Wollemi Farms
Daniel Hough brings over two decades of experience in agriculture and real asset investment, underpinned by…
Samantha Gallagher
Development Manager, Foodbank Queensland
Samantha Gallagher is a dedicated not-for-profit professional who has spent her career working to improve the lives of vulnerable…
Brian Healey
Global Co Lead Agribusiness Partner, K&L Gates
Brian is the Global Co Lead Agribusiness Partner for the K&L Gates Agribusiness practice and leads the team…
Ben Cameron
Managing Partner, Bentleys Queensland
Over his 30+ years with Bentleys, Ben has been a driving force behind the firms’ growth in both the rural advisory space and…
Our MC
The Panel Facilitators
Our MC
Craig Zonca
MC & ABC Radio Broadcaster
Craig Zonca co-hosts the popular Breakfast program on ABC Radio Brisbane…
The Panel Facilitators
Pip Courtney
TV Presenter & reporter, ABC Television
Pip Courtney has been reporting for the ABC’s national rural affairs program Landline …
Lucy Kinbacher
Editor at Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent more than a decade…
Kate Banville
MC, Facilitator and Internationally Published Journalist
Kate Banville is a freelance journalist, emcee and former Australian Army soldier who…
Pricing
Super Early Bird
Available until Monday, 30 June
Individual
$255
(Save 15%)
Table of 8
$1910
(Save 20%)
Early Bird
Available until Thursday, 31 July
Individual
$269
(Save 10%)
Table of 8
$2040
(Save 15%)
Standard
Available until Monday, 25 August
Individual
$299
Standard Pricing
Table of 8
$2150
(Save 10%)
*Savings are based on the standard individual rate.
Ticket Purchase Policy
To ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all attendees, we are not able to accept multiple table orders from a single organisation. Each organisation is limited to purchasing a maximum of 8 individual tickets or 1 table. This policy helps us maintain an equitable distribution of tickets and ensures a diverse and engaging event atmosphere. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Samantha Gallagher
Development Manager, Foodbank Queensland
Samantha Gallagher is a dedicated not-for-profit professional who has spent her career working to improve the lives of vulnerable Australians. She currently leads the Corporate & Philanthropic Partnerships at Foodbank Queensland, the largest hunger relief charity in the state. In this role, Samantha devises and executes strategic campaigns and collaborations that mobilise corporate and philanthropic support to drive tangible social outcomes for communities and families facing food insecurity.
Daniel Hough
Co-Managing Director, Gunn Agri Partners and Director & Portfolio Manager, Wollemi Farms
Daniel Hough brings over two decades of experience in agriculture and real asset investment, underpinned by a personal connection to farming. Raised on a cattle property in New South Wales, where his father farmed into his late seventies, Daniel's professional journey reflects both a technical and hands-on understanding of agriculture.
Daniel’s career spans multiple continents and senior roles, including Associate Director at Macquarie Agricultural Funds Management in Europe and Head of Agriculture at Chayton Africa, an African-focused agribusiness investment platform. Throughout his career, Daniel has been investor-facing, leading capital raising across farmland strategies in Africa, Brazil, and Australia.
A qualified accountant with a longstanding background in financial services, Daniel currently serves as Portfolio Manager for all permanent crop and water investments at Gunn Agri Partners. His portfolio includes high-value nut, stone fruit, and avocado operations across Australia’s eastern seaboard. In addition to investment oversight, he also leads the firm’s Investor Relations function, liaising with institutional clients from Europe, North America and Australia.
Kate Banville
MC, Facilitator and Internationally Published Journalist
Kate Banville is a freelance journalist, emcee and former Australian Army soldier who looks to inform and engage audiences in critical conversations around agriculture, food security, national security, defence and Australia’s place in the world.
As a former newspaper, radio, television and digital journalist, Kate is comfortable bringing her professional curiosity to any platform.
Heather Stott
General Manager of Major Relationships, Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section)
Heather Stott leads major donor and stakeholder engagement for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section), advocating for equitable healthcare access across remote and regional Australia. With a background as an award-winning BBC and ABC journalist, Heather brings over 25 years of communication and public engagement expertise to her role. She is passionate about connecting people with purpose, to help deliver life-saving aeromedical & primary healthcare across the state.
Bert Glover
Director, Impact Ag Partners
Bert Glover is the founder of international agricultural asset management and investment firm, Impact Ag Partners. He is also CEO of its US expansion, Impact Ag Partners LLC, where he leads investment strategies centred around deploying capital into nature-based solutions that enhance and diversify returns for investors.
A pioneer of nature-positive agricultural management and asset development, Bert has secured and deployed $1 billion in global capital to transform agricultural ecosystems at scale – helping to position Australia as a go-to market for investors seeking to balance environmental stewardship with profitability.
Bert is also CEO of Agriculture and Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation (ANSC). The NASDAQ-listed SPAC, launched by Impact Ag Partners LLC in partnership with US asset manager, Riverstone Holdings, seeks to invest in opportunities to decarbonise agriculture.
Bert’s leadership of Impact Ag Partners has pioneered notable projects including some of the largest soil carbon projects across Australia and the United States of America, creating additional value from real assets. These achievements underscore his commitment to providing investors a clear pathway to deploy capital at scale into agriculture that delivers strong economic returns, measurable environmental outcomes, and thriving regional communities.
Lucy Kinbacher
Editor at Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent more than a decade working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Pip Courtney
TV Presenter & reporter, ABC Television
Pip Courtney has been reporting for the ABC’s national rural affairs program Landline for 30 years and has been host since 2012.
She‘s won numerous journalism awards for her reporting on agriculture, business, sport, the environment, medicine and education.
Career highlights include being named Queensland Journalist of the Year in 2007 with colleague Sally Sara and winning the International Star Prize for Agricultural Journalism in 2011.
Pip was inducted into Queensland’s Rural Journalism Hall of Fame in 2018, and most recently won the 2024 National Star Prizes for Rural Broadcasting.
Born and bred in Tasmania Pip took up a graduate cadetship at the ABC in Hobart in 1986, working in radio and television news.
She worked for the 7.30 Report in Melbourne but is best known for her rural reporting, which began when she moved to Canberra on the “Mainland” in 1993 to work for Landline.
Melbourne followed but she’s now based in Brisbane.
Rural reporting has taken Pip to every Australian state and territory, as well as China, Peru, Timor Leste, the USA, Cambodia and Laos.
Sam Elsom
CEO & Co-Founder, Sea Forest
Sam Elsom is a passionate environmentalist with over 15 years experience in sustainability. Having founded one of Australia’s first sustainable apparel businesses to measuring social and environmental impact across supply chains as well as implementing a satellite factory in India to support poor communities with income, training, clean water and education. Sam was drawn to explore seaweed cultivation for its impressive capacity to sequester CO2 as a potential solution to reverse Climate Change.
Liz Brookes
General Manager of Marketing, Grove Juice
Liz Brookes is the General Manager of Marketing at Grove Juice, a vertically integrated fresh juice and drinks business delivering premium juice to Australia and beyond.
Founded in 1969 as a home delivery service, Grove Juice has grown into Australia’s largest Valencia orange grower and proudly produces juice under its own brands—Grove Juice, Only Juice, Boost Juice, and Daily Squeeze—as well as private label products for leading retailers.
Still family-operated, Grove Juice is committed to sustainability, investing in more efficient growing and manufacturing practices to ensure high-quality juice remains accessible and affordable for all.
Ben Picton
Senior Macro Strategist, Rabobank
Ben Picton is Senior Macro Strategist for the RaboResearch Global Economics & Markets team in Sydney. He is responsible for providing strategic economic research for Australia and New Zealand including interest rates and economic projections. Ben also works closely with the Australian and New Zealand RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness team.
Before taking up the role as Senior Macro Strategist in 2023, Ben worked for more than seven years on the Sydney Markets desk. Here he has held a number of positions in derivative sales and trading, covering both the Wholesale and Country Banking client portfolios.
Ben holds a combined Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Newcastle, and a Master of Economics from the University of Sydney.
Craig Zonca
MC & ABC Radio Broadcaster
Craig Zonca co-hosts the popular Breakfast program on ABC Radio Brisbane.. He’s one of the most recognised voices on radio in Queensland after 20 years working with the ABC, including presenting the Queensland Country Hour.
Craig has also played weather presenter on ABC TV News and anchors the ABC’s Anzac Day coverage in Brisbane.
A naturally curious person, Craig lives to tell stories. He’s interviewed thousands of people, including prime ministers and premiers along with the stars of stage, screen, and the sporting field.
Craig’s covered political scandals and natural disasters but it’s the spontaneous, unexpected, unscripted and adrenaline pumping moments that fuel his love for live radio.
He’s a proud dad, with two young children, who loves escaping the city and getting his boots dusty on his in-law’s cattle property in central Queensland.
Craig is also a board director of the Red Rose Foundation.
Nigel Pannett
Owner & Managing Director, Compass Agri Australia
From growing up on a dairy farm on New Zealand’s South Island, to founding leading Australian agri-business investment firm Compass Agri Australia, Nigel Pannett’s philosophy remains ‘look after the people and the land, and they will look after you’.
As managing director of Compass, Nigel leads a portfolio of award-winning farm investments, including fund structures that hold seven dairy farms, across the water-rich Derwent Valley in Tasmania.
A former rural banker, farmer and agronomist, Nigel uses his extensive agriculture and business experience to build strong and sustainable rural partnerships between Australia’s agri and finance sectors.
Together with a team of in-house specialists and high performing on farm teams, Nigel is committed to delivering strong financial returns for investors and positive environmental and social outcomes for communities.
When Nigel’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his young family and indulging in his love of music by strumming a tune or two on his guitar.
Kristina Hermanson
Head of APAC and Africa, MD at Nuveen Natural Capital
Kristina Hermanson is the Head of APAC and Africa at Nuveen Natural Capital. She targets growth in the region in farmland, timber and nature-based investments in collaboration with the expertise across Nuveen. The Australian Farmland core business is a key component within the APAC region with growth potential into nature-based solutions with regenerative agriculture at the core.
With proud roots on a dairy farm in Wisconsin, Kristina has more than 25 years of international leadership experience, most recently serving as Managing Director of ANZ & ASEAN at FMC Corporation. Kristina started her career as a mechanical engineer based in Europe and worked in commercial, strategy, and M&A roles in EMEA and APAC over a decade with global agribusiness firm, Archer Daniels Midland. She also served as Director of Growth and Collaboration, at Coca Cola Amatil in Australia before joining FMC. Kristina is a Non-Executive Board member at the Australian Farm Institute and has recently served as a Director of AgSafe, CropLife Australia, and non-profit, Business for Development.
Kristina holds an M.S.M.E. from the University of Wisconsin and an M.B.A. from the University of California-Los Angeles. She is a passionate thought leader for Inclusion in Agriculture and a strong believer that a truly inclusive industry drives innovation and profitability.
Andrew Tout
Head of Agriculture, Centuria Capital Limited
Andrew is Head of Agriculture, responsible for sourcing and overseeing three unlisted pure-play agriculture funds across Australia, worth more than $0.65billion. His core capabilities extend to portfolio management, acquisition evaluation and transactions, credit and risk structuring, automation and AI decision making, and gate-to-plate supply chain management.
Being a sixth-generational agriculturalist and with more than 27 years industry experience, Andrew’s varied career provides exposure to each stakeholder group throughout the agriculture industry, providing a unique network across the industry.
He joined Centuria in 2020 having previously held senior positions with Westpac, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, GrainCorp, Elders, Raine & Horne and regional agricultural specialist companies such as Cargill, Tandou and Pentag. His roles have spanned across agronomy, supply chain management and commodity trading to banking and loan management.
He has positioned Centuria with a first mover advantage as an institutional landlord within the protected cropping real estate sector, which has led Centuria to becoming Australia’s biggest large-scale glasshouse/greenhouse landlord with more than 100 hectares of protected cropping.
Tout studied Horticultural Science at the University of Western Sydney, is a licensed Stock and Station Agent, holds a rural valuation certificate and various business and finance accreditations. More recently, he was appointed Chair of the Protected Cropping Australia.
Troy Setter
Chief Executive Officer, Consolidated Pastoral Company (CPC)
Troy joined Consolidated Pastoral Company (CPC) in 2014 and is a top cattlemen and agribusiness leader who is well-renowned for his achievements across the industry. Troy has held key management positions at the Australian Agricultural Company, Torrens Investments, North Australian Cattle Company, and Killara Feedlot. Troy has worked across the agribusiness industry in production through to processing and marketing for beef, sheep, grains, cotton, land development, and logistics. Outside CPC, Troy currently Chairs the Board of Dolly’s Dream, the Council of Research and Development Corporations, and LiveCorp and is a former Chair of the Australian Beef Industry Foundation.
CPC is a leading Australian-managed, UK-owned Agribusiness with strong ESG values. CPC owns and operates a portfolio of nine station aggregations in Australia. Across more than 3.2m hectares of land, the CPC team can care for more than 300,000 head of cattle and produce a diverse range of crops. With an asset base above AUD$1 billion, CPC supplies a variety of domestic and international customers.
Su McCluskey
Special Representative, Australian Agriculture & Director, Australian Unity
Su McCluskey is the Special Representative for Australian Agriculture and a Director of Australian Unity, LiveCorp and Australasian Pork Research Institute. She was previously a Commissioner for International Agricultural Research and a Commissioner on the National COVID-19 Advisory Board, and a member of the Charities Review and the Small Business Digital Taskforce. She was also a member of the Independent Review Panel for CPA Australia, the Harper Review of Competition Policy and the NSW Review of the Regulatory Framework.
Su has been the CEO of the Regional Australia Institute and the Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations and the Executive Director of the Office of Best Practice Regulation. She has held senior positions with the Business Council of Australia, the National Farmers’ Federation and the Australian Taxation Office. She is also a beef cattle farmer at Yass, NSW and was named the Westpac/Australian Financial Review Regional Women of Influence in 2013 and received the Women in Agribusiness award in 2014 for outstanding contribution to policy development.
Brian Healey
Global Co Lead Agribusiness Partner, K&L Gates
Brian is the Global Co Lead Agribusiness Partner for the K&L Gates Agribusiness practice and leads the team in Australia. Brian has more than 27 years' experience dedicated to servicing clients in agribusiness and primary industries across Australia. Focusing on agricultural property, water rights and investment in agribusiness, he has advised on some of Australia's most prominent rural transactions in all Australian states in areas as diverse as cattle, cotton, dairy, wheat, horticulture, permanent row crops and vineyards amongst others.
His experience includes all forms of agricultural property transactions, rural and irrigation water transactions, and leading teams in mergers and acquisitions. Brian acts for local and international agribusinesses, primary producers and investors across their range of legal needs. His in-bound clients are drawn from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore and China amongst others.
Recognising agriculture and agricultural assets as a distinct investment asset class has allowed Brian to assist investors in agriculture and domestic agribusinesses to match capital with expertise to unlock opportunity for agribusinesses, producers and investors alike.
Steve Jarrott
Portfolio Manager, Diversified Agriculture, Warakirri Asset Management
Steve joined Warakirri in 2019 and is one of Australia’s leading Agricultural investment professionals with over a decade of high-quality experience as Portfolio Manager with Westchester, the agriculture investment arm of the US-based TIAA-Nuveen Group, the world’s largest farmland investment manager.
Steve is highly skilled in investment strategy and asset allocation, deal origination and negotiations, valuation and analysis, portfolio management, governance, risk management and ESG programs. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Finance and Investment and maintains an active personal interest in agriculture via his family farm in New South Wales.
Colin Rigg
Head of Agriculture, Macquarie Asset Management
Colin heads the Agriculture business within Macquarie Asset Management (MAM), overseeing a diverse team and portfolio of livestock and cropping businesses. Colin joined Macquarie in 2008, advising a broad range of clients across real estate, corporate services, building materials, healthcare, and agriculture. In 2018 Colin joined the MAM agriculture team to initially lead the portfolio construction and management of the diversified cropping investment strategies and has led the business since 2022.
Colin is a board member of several of MAM’s Agriculture operating businesses, including Viridis Ag, Cubbie Ag, Paraway Pastoral, Fresh Produce Group and Cowal Agriculture.
Colin holds both a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and a Master of Commerce in finance and accounting from the University of Queensland.
Justin McGowan
Chief Executive Officer, Trade & Investment Queensland
With significant international trade experience, Justin was appointed to the leadership role to drive Queensland’s investment and export future.
Justin McGowan has held Senior Executive roles within the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and is an accomplished diplomat. Most recently, he led the Capability Taskforce driving Australia’s Foreign and Trade capabilities to meet future challenges and deliver economic potential.
He was previously Australia’s Commissioner General to the World Expo in Dubai for four years (2017 to 2021), facilitating engagement opportunities for government representatives, business councils, investors and entrepreneurs across most markets and sectors.
In previous roles, Justin has held senior leadership positions a range of private sector companies, has delivered on major global programs with the Department of Defence and served in the Royal Australian Navy on numerous operational deployments, including enforcing United Nations sanctions in the Middle East.
Allan Cooney
CEO, the North Australian Pastoral Company
Allan Cooney is the CEO of The North Australian Pastoral Company - one of Australia’s largest and oldest beef companies - and is a seasoned professional in the sheep and beef industry. Allan’s career has also seen him run a station of a different kind and in 2012 lead the team at the Antarctic Station. With a passion for both business and art, Allan brings a unique perspective to his role. His deep understanding of the land and its history, coupled with his appreciation for artistic expression, informs his approach to managing his company and engaging with the community. Allan's commitment to sustainable farming practices and cultural preservation sets him apart as a visionary leader in both agriculture and the arts.
Bradley Wheaton
Co-Managing Director, Gunn Agri Partners
Director, Cunningham Cattle Co
Brad is a co-founder and Managing Director of Gunn Agri Partners.
Gunn Agri has as investors and shareholders the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation and CDPQ, a Canadian pension with $434bn in net assets.
The Gunn Agri portfolio spans over 2.6m acres and $800m in AUM including the mixed farming businesses Faulkner Farming & Wilga Farming, the pastoral company Cunningham Cattle Co and the horticulture platform, Wollemi Farms.
Brad's prior experience has included roles with Macquarie Agricultural Funds Management, Twynam Pastoral, and in the renewable energy industry.
Ben Cameron
Managing Partner, Bentleys Queensland
Ben Cameron is the Managing Partner of Bentleys Queensland. Over his 30+ years with Bentleys, Ben has been a driving force behind the firms’ growth in both the rural advisory space and in the Queensland business market generally.
Ben is a respected, connected industry expert. As a trusted advisor and business confidant, he works with highly successful ASX listed entities, businesses and family groups across multiple sectors, including farming operations (operating in the beef (including feed lotting), grain, horticulture, cotton and other primary production industries), family business, corporate organisations, property companies, the finance sector, manufacturers and professional services.
Ben heads up the firm’s team of specialist agribusiness advisors who work with a mix of agribusiness clients, financiers, corporate and family-owned industry participants and other rural industry operators – such as stock agents and sales yard operators. Ben is a thought leader in business advisory and solutions for the rural industry. His expertise is directly related to his unique industry experience, which includes his role as lead advisor to assist multiple clients in the beef cattle industry to complete sale transactions, acquisitions and joint venture deals. Ben has managed all facets of multi-million dollar transactions from planning through to execution.