On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Damien Farrelly as the next CEO of the Fresh Produce Safety Centre (FPSC), commencing 18 August 2025. 

Damien brings deep expertise in food safety, assurance systems, and industry collaboration. As General Manager – NZGAP at Horticulture New Zealand, he has led national engagement on food safety policy, overseen multi-year funding programs, and built strong partnerships across government, industry, and research. 

He holds a PhD and First-Class Honours degree in Biosystems Engineering from University College Dublin, with a focus on food engineering, bioprocessing, and crop science. This academic foundation complements his practical leadership across policy, certification, and system design. 

Damien is already well connected across both Australia and New Zealand through his current role as a Board Director of FPSC. He has contributed actively to our trans-Tasman strategy and stakeholder engagement, and is a recognised contributor to GLOBALG.A.P. and NZ Food Safety forums. His appointment comes at a time of strong momentum, and he will work closely with outgoing CEO Farzana Adams and the FPSC team, including Susannah Roelofsz and Jody Sharpe, to ensure a smooth and well-supported transition. 

Farzana will step down following the International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium (IFPSS25) in late July to pursue an exciting new career opportunity that will see her continue to contribute to the fresh produce sector. 

The Board and I extend our sincere thanks to Farzana for the significant contributions she has made to FPSC over the past two years. During her tenure, she brought renewed energy and strategic focus to the organisation. Notably, she led the revitalisation of the annual IFPSS into an engaging new format that has attracted strong participation and industry relevance. She also spearheaded a large-scale food safety outreach program across the sector, building awareness, capacity, and confidence in food safety practices. 

Farzana has played a key role in strengthening relationships across industry, government, and academia, and has enhanced FPSC’s profile and impact within the broader food safety community. 

On a personal note, I have valued the close working relationship we shared. Her collaborative style, professionalism, and deep commitment to FPSC’s mission made it possible to bring our strategic vision to life. 

We wish Farzana every success in the next chapter of her career and look forward to seeing her continued leadership in fresh produce safety. 

The Board is confident that this transition will maintain the strong continuity and collaborative focus that have underpinned FPSC’s recent growth and position the organisation well for its next chapter. 

We look forward to formally welcoming Damien in August and introducing him at IFPSS25 in Sydney this July. 

Kind Regards,
Dr Andreas Klieber
Chair, Fresh Produce Safety Centre ANZ