The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has established a new executive team, to deliver on ACIAR’s mandate of contributing to food and nutrition security and sustainable management of natural resources in our partner countries.
ACIAR chief executive officer, Professor Wendy Umberger, said the new team will also ensure the organisation strongly contributes to Australia’s International Development Policy.
“ACIAR is committed to delivering a high quality, effective agricultural research-for-development program that is responsive to partner needs, delivers impact and is informed by robust monitoring, evaluation and learning,” said Umberger.
“Climate change is amplifying food security challenges around the world. Our organisation is continuously evolving to be best placed to invest in research that builds resilience in rural communities and empowers our research partners to lead adaptation and mitigation efforts.
“I am excited for our new Executive Team to unite ACIAR with a clear strategic direction to strengthen partnerships, work more closely with partner countries and have a strong emphasis on climate action in new research investments,” she said.
Joining Umberger on the ACIAR executive team are Dr James Quilty, general manager, research; Laura Timmins, general manager, partnerships; and Paul Morgan, general manager, corporate.
The new team members emphasised the importance of responding to the priorities of partner countries, building innovative research collaborations, engaging strategically with the public and private sectors, and leveraging Australian research expertise to tackle existing and emerging challenges.
“ACIAR is a global leader in agricultural research-for-development with an excellent reputation. I am looking forward to working with the team to focus on leveraging this expertise with locally led solutions, ensuring an emphasis on climate mitigation and adaptation,” said Quilty.
The executive team will ensure ACIAR delivers on its core mandate of brokering, funding, and managing partnerships and investments that catalyse more productive, sustainable and resilient agricultural and food systems, improved food and nutrition security, and more sustainable management of natural resources for the benefit of our partner countries and Australia.
The breadth of experience across the team provides a mix of research, partnership and corporate skills to deliver outcomes across a geographically diverse and strategically challenging Indo-Pacific region.
“Our ability to consistently deliver strategic outcomes for the government requires strong corporate governance and enabling support,” said Morgan.
“This builds public trust in what we do and ensures our Research and Partnership branches can efficiently leverage the corporate support needed to deliver Australia’s International Development Program with integrity, fairness and transparency.”
The change reflects the priorities set out in the Australian Government’s International Development Policy, released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in August 2023.
