Governance
We believe it is important to provide a clear set of values that emphasize a culture encompassing strong corporate governance, sound business practices, positive leadership and ethical conduct.
Our Board endorsed the Co-operative and Mutual Enterprise (CME) Governance Principles 1st Edition – July 2018 and strives for best practice governance. Our governance framework and our adherence to it, are fundamental in demonstrating that the Board are overseeing the management of risk and the future direction of the Co-op. Our corporate governance policies are regularly reviewed to make sure they are consistent with best practice and are at the forefront of our business practices.
board of directors
John Seccombe
Chairman
John Seccombe
CHAIRMAN
John became a Director of the Co-operative in 2010 and Chairman in 2013. John has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree, Armidale. John operates a beef breeder enterprise and has gained experience in livestock exports, feedlots, extensive cattle property management, and in the processing industry having managed research institutions, a large cattle station in the Moree district and a custom feedlot at Gurley as well as having a period with the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation. John has taken an active role in industry issues and advocated the cattle industry. He is currently deputy chairman of the Marketing, Market Access and Trade Committee for the Cattle Council of Australia and is a member of the Cattle Committee for the NSW Farmers Association. John is an appointee to the Cattle Tick Ministerial Advisory Committee and Chairman of Melanoma Patients Australia.
Lennard Blok
Director
Lennard Blok
DIRECTOR
Lennard was elected to the Board in October 2023. He was previously a Board member from 2003 – 2016, including being Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Audit Committee for a period of time.
He owns & operates beef properties in Northern Rivers of NSW. Lennard is a Director of a family freight / logistics business, McLeans Freight Service where they manage over 65 staff across two depots.
Lennard completed an Agricultural Science degree at the University of Queensland (B.App-Sc. / Rural Technology) and has completed a Business Administration course at the Southern Cross University in Lismore, NSW.
He is Managing Director of Lee Pratt Agribusiness (lee pratt beef). The business is involved in livestock procurement and all areas of sales and marketing of beef & beef co-products on both the domestic and export markets.
He has a solid understanding of the meat processing industry and all the business model(s) the Co-op operates in.
Mr Merrick Blok
Director
Mr Merrick Blok
DIRECTOR
Merrick was elected to the Board in October 2018. Merrick was born and raised in the Northern Rivers and runs a small beef property with his family. In 1995 Merrick completed a Bachelor of Management (Agribusiness), specialising in international trade and marketing. Merrick has worked in the red meat industry for over 21 years and has spent most of this time in sales and marketing (domestically and internationally). He commenced working with The Casino Food Co-op, J & E Medcalf (North Yorkshire, UK), Stockyard Beef (Brisbane). Since 2013 Merrick has continued his career in the red meat industry at Lee Pratt Beef in sales and marketing of beef and beef co-products.
Mr Robert (Neil) Short
Director
Mr Robert (Neil) Short
DIRECTOR
Neil was elected to the Board in November 2013. Neil has completing an accountancy and law competency course at Hawkesbury Agricultural College and is a licensed Stock & Station / Real Estate Agent. Neil has worked with Ian Weir & Son Pty Ltd (Lismore) since 1986. In 1999 he became licensee in charge of Ian Weir & Son Pty Ltd. Neil is a Director of the Lismore Saleyards Pty Ltd.
Mr Damien Dougherty
Director
Mr Damien Dougherty
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN
Damien was elected to the Board in October 2020 and appointed Deputy Chairman in November 2023. Damien has a Bachelor of Agriculture Science from UWS Hawkesbury and an Associate Diploma Business (International Trade) from RMIT, studied in China; as well as an Ausmeat Non-Packers Exporters certificate. Over 33 years Damien has accumulated experience in the livestock and meat industry, both Beef & Pork having worked for RS Morrow (Booyong Abattoirs) as Livestock & QA Manager / Nippon Meat Packers as Export meat sales to South East Asia, USA & Canada and ANZ Exports (Owner & Director) – Meat sales to more than 20 countries. Damien is the Managing Director of Bangalow Sweet Pork, focusing on pork processing for domestic and export markets.
Mr Robert Sinnamon
Director
Mr Robert Sinnamon
DIRECTOR
Robert was elected to the Board in November 2015 until June 2022, when he filled a casual vacancy until his election again to the Board in November 2022. He runs his own Riverina Santa Gertrudis stud at Kyogle. Educated at Brisbane Boys College, he has a Diploma in Agriculture and in Rural Business Management. Rob has served a term on the Beef CRC Review Panel and RDE&S Consultative Committee of Cattle Council. He currently is a Councillor of the Santa Gertrudis Australia Association.
Mrs Angela Seccombe
Director
Mrs Angela Seccombe
DIRECTOR
Angela was elected to the Board in December 2016. Angela has completed a Diploma in Applied Science (Agriculture) at Hawkesbury Agricultural College and a Diploma in Education (Secondary). Angela joined the NSW Department of Agriculture in 1981 as an Agronomist, training at Orange and Leeton before taking up a position as District Agronomist at Parkes in 1982. Angela and her husband Robert purchased a property at Piora in 1991 where they produce trade yearlings and butcher’s cattle. Angela previously held a position on the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange (NRLX) Advisory Group.
Mr Steve Morrow
Independant Director
Mr Steve Morrow
INDEPENDENT Director
Steve was elected to the Board in October 2018 as the Co-operative’s first Independent Director. Steve has a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics. He started his career in the grain industry with Queensland Grain Growers Association, Toowoomba (Co-operative), before moving to Kansas City, USA as Director Asian Marketing for Farmland Industries (Co-operative). In 1986, Steve returned to Australia and opened the first Australian office for US multinational ConAgra Grains. In 1995 Steve became Managing Director of Primac Holdings and then General Manager Agribusiness of Suncorp Bank. In 2004 Steve was appointed CEO of Golden Circle LTD. Since 2007, Steve has been a professional Company Director, having served on 17 Boards including 12 as Chairman. He currently serves as Chairman of Golden Cockerel, and Board Member of CEFN Pty Ltd and represents US pension fund MERS who have agri-investments in Australia.
MANAGEMENT TEAm
Simon Stahl
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Simon Stahl
Chief Executive Officer
Simon Stahl has been working in the beef & pork processing and tanning industries for over 30 years. Simon is broadly experienced in the Australian meat processing industry having worked at KR Darling Downs in Toowoomba, Nippon Meat Packers Australia (NMPA). Simon has a Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting Major and his professional career has spanned positions in payroll, IT, HR, Manager corporate affairs and Innovation, senior accountant, Managing Director of NMPA & Chief Executive Officer, NCMC. Simon currently sits on the AMIC National processor committee and has previously held the position of Director of the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC). Simon is currently Chairman of Northern Rivers NSW committee and a member of ‘Our Kids’.
Trevor Moore
SUSTAINABILITY - INNOVATION - ENVIRONMENT
Trevor Moore
Sustainability - Innovation - Environment
Trevor has been involved in the Australian red meat industry for over 30 years. Starting at The Co-op in 1989, he has developed an extensive skillset through his experience and learned knowledge. This has positioned him to take the role of managing Innovation, Sustainability, and Environment for the Group. Trevor holds several qualifications including a Bachelor of Science (Environment) through UWS, Meat Inspection, and internationally recognised qualifications in Quality Assurance and Food Safety. Trevor participates in the innovation committees of the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) and in November 2023 was appointed a Director of AMPC. He is also a representative of the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) and holds a seat on the Export Meat Industry Advisory Council (EMIAC) and the E. coli expert panel.
Corey Aleckson
GENERAL MANAGER OPERATIONS
Corey Aleckson
General Manager Operations
Corey is General Manager Operations and is responsible for all operations at Casino Service Processing, Casino Hide Tanners & Booyong Service Processing (BSP).Corey has over 23 years of meat industry experience, a Master of retail butchery, Certificate IV Meat Safety (meat inspection) and an AHRI Certificate IV in Human Resources. Corey commenced with The Co-op in 2002 as boning room supervisor at the organisations pork processing facility (BSP). Corey progressed to the role of production manager for the next 11 years and in 2013 undertook the role of HR Manager for the Group until November 2017.
Darran Singh
GROUP COMMERCIAL MANAGER
Darran Singh
Group Commercial Manager
In March 2018 Darran joined The Co-op and holds the position of Group Commercial Manager, CFO and IT Manager. Darran holds a Bachelor of Business and was principal in a Public Accounting Firm for over 18 years. Darran’s professional work has involved taxation planning and advice, business structuring advice, information technology reviews, due diligence reviews, audit and compliance reviews plus other services in a career spanning over 31 years. Darran applies his extensive commercial and business skills across all aspects of the Co-op as a part of the Executive Team and works closely with all other Executives in a consultative role in each of their business units. Darran’s role is integral in resolving commercial issues and establishing the new ventures and business relationships.
Tracey Mills
People & Culture Group HR Manager
Tracey Mills
People & Culture Group HR Manager
Information coming soon.
Annabelle Toohey
PA TO CEO AND COMPANY SECRETARY
Anne Toohey
PA to CEO and Company Secretary
Annabelle commenced her career having undertaken a Legal Course in Brisbane before moving to Gosford to work in a private solicitors firm for 2 years. She then moved to Casino gaining employment at a local legal firm, prior to joining the Northern Co-operative Meat Company Ltd in 1993 as personal Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer, a position she holds today. Anne commenced as Board Secretary for the Co-op in May 2015.
Mark Manning
General Manager Northern Rivers Meats
Mark Manning
General Manager Northern Rivers Meats
Mark joined The Casino Food Co-op in August 2013 as General Manager of Northern Rivers Meat Company Pty Ltd leading the marketing team on beef & veal, offal and by-product sales. During his 30+ year career within the red meat industry Mark has gained a number of Aus-Meat accreditations along with a vast array of contacts and a wealth of industry knowledge.
Casino Food Co-op is a proud member of the BCCM.
The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) is Australia’s only peak body for co-operatives and mutuals across all industries. The BCCM unites co-operatives, mutuals and member-owned businesses with the common objective of increasing awareness of the co-operative and mutual business model and the important contribution of member-owned businesses to the national economy and community development of Australia.
Members recognise the role of co-operative and mutual businesses in contributing to informed and balanced public policy debate for a fairer, more prosperous and inclusive economy for all Australians.
BCCM are a powerful and informed voice in the business community and have successfully focused media and political attention on Australia’s co-operative and mutual sector.
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