SRA appoints Mr Ian McBean as Executive Manager, Regional Delivery
Sugar Research Australia (SRA) has appointed experienced sugar industry professional, Mr Ian McBean, as its Executive Manager, Regional Delivery.
Mr McBean has had an extensive career in the sugar industry in Australia and internationally and was most recently employed at Sunshine Sugar in NSW, where he was part of the Executive Team and held the role of General Manager.
SRA has worked with the Australian sugarcane industry to develop a new strategy for industry-led adoption activities. As part of this process, the industry identified the need for SRA to appoint an Executive Manager, Regional Delivery, and Mr McBean will be the driving force behind the strategy in this newly-created role.
“Ian has extensive experience working with growers in Queensland and NSW, he has an in-depth understanding of the needs of the milling sector, and he has been instrumental in delivering extension and adoption outcomes throughout his career. This has been an area of focus in recent years in NSW,” SRA CEO, Mr Neil Fisher, said.
“He understands that the Australian sugarcane industry must be productive, profitable, and sustainable, and that a key component of this is ensuring that the research developed by SRA is adopted on-farm by growers.
“A large part of our industry operates adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef, and our industry is acutely aware that we must continue to make positive steps forward through research and adoption of best practices. The industry adoption strategy is a critical component of ensuring this future productivity, profitability, and sustainability.”
In this role, Mr McBean will serve as the key conduit for regional coordinators and other stakeholders to engage with SRA. He will also serve as executive officer for the industry adoption advisory group, oversee the development of regional annual operational plans, manage relevant SRA staff, and facilitate cross-regional linkages.
The strategy for adoption in the sugar industry is underpinned by four key elements of well-functioning extension and adoption systems:
- Clear strategy which defines and sets targets for end-user change;
- Consistent processes which link regional priorities and activities on the ground with industry strategies;
- Resourcing models which enable the capacity to deliver and provide for the ongoing industry capability development; and
- Systems which enable attribution, accountability, and evaluation of success.
Mr McBean said he was looking forward to working with SRA staff, growers, millers, productivity service groups, the private sector, NRM groups, and State and Federal Governments to deliver the best outcomes for Australian sugarcane growers and millers.
“The transfer of technology to growers and millers is vital to the future success of our industry, and I am excited to be driving these outcomes forward through this new role at SRA,” Mr McBean said.