Introducing the NFF’s new CEO

NATIONAL Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President Jock Laurie has announced the appointment of Mr Matt Linnegar (pictured) as the new CEO of Australia’s peak farm body.
Mr Linnegar, 40, comes to the NFF after 17 years in agricultural representation. Most recently he has been General Manager – Corporate and Customer Operations with Murrumbidgee Irrigation.
Prior to that he was Executive Director of the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia – an NFF member commodity group, a position he held for seven years. For four years he was the Marketing Coordinator for the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation (which was the forerunner to Meat and Livestock Australia).
“On behalf of the NFF Board, Members’ Council and NFF Secretariat I welcome Matt and look forward to him joining the organisation on 14 March 2011,” Mr Laurie said.
Married with three children, Mr Linnegar takes over from Ben Fargher who filled the CEO post for six years.
“I thank Jock and the NFF Board for their confidence and I look forward to working with the members and the small but extremely talented team at the NFF,” Mr Linnegar said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“Throughout my career I’ve enjoyed close working relationships and professional dealings with farmers. The NFF is the pinnacle of that representative role.
“I see my new role as building on what is already a strong brand, highly respected across the political spectrum, among industry groups and throughout the broader community.
“I can talk at length about what I think the issues are but it’s really about what the members want. My role as CEO will be taking those issues forward.”
Mr Linnegar has a degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Western Sydney (Hawkesbury) and is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership program.
NFF General Manager – Corporate and Workplace Relations, Denita Wawn, will be Acting NFF CEO until Mr Linnegar’s arrival.
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