The Australian Food and Grocery Council is fully-funding two seats on its board in a move to strengthen the representation of small to medium enterprises.
Terry O'Brien, AFGC chair and MD of Simplot Australia announced the changes to the council's board composition at its Highlands Senior Executive Forum.
He announced that the AFGC will fully fund two board seats for members with organisations with sales below $50m. It will also establish an SME Forum – a peer to peer group focusing on emerging issues which may impact manufacturers and suppliers.
"The decision is a positive step that will give us insight into the particular challenges SME companies face in the food and grocery industry, and further enhances representation across all our membership," he said.
Fifty-four percent of the AFGC's membership are SMEs, but O'Brien insists the changes to the board will ensure it continues to represent all of its members – from the multinationals to the small enterprises.
"The decision to enhance and support SME representation on the Board is one of many avenues we are undertaking to engage smaller companies that do not necessarily have the resources to keep up to speed with industry and regulatory developments and their implications for business."