NATIONAL: Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has appointed its fourth chief executive in as many years, as the organisation moves to settle months of turmoil among its executive board.
The not-for-profit company confirmed Stuart McCullough was appointed CEO of AWI on May 21. This follows two months of McCullough serving as acting CEO after Brenda McGahan's resignation from the role in February 2010.
AWI Chairman Wal Merriman revealed McCullough had been among 93 applicants for the position.
“Mr McCullough has worked in various senior roles at AWI in his nine years with the company. Having worked in the wool industry for 21 years, he has extensive knowledge of the fibre, its markets and its people," Merriman said.
The appointment comes on the back of long-standing friction within the AWI's eight member board.
Earlier this year, AWI directors Brian van Rooyen and Roger Fletcher commissioned an internal report into the board's activities following the resignation of McGahan.
The report was scheduled to be tabled to the board at the close of last week.
Established in 2001, AWI's primary role is to manage innovation, marketing, sales, and research and development to increase the long term profitability of Australian wool growers.
The organisation sponsored five designers in their work for this year's Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, including Dion Lee and Ben Pollitt of Friedrich Gray.