Our Board
Dr Andreas Klieber
Chair
Andreas Klieber is the managing director for Quality Associates. He is the senior consultant for Quality Associates and CEO and head trainer for QATraining (RTO 41341) providing professional services in the HACCP, quality and food safety sectors. Andreas holds a BSc (Hons 1) and PhD in Food Science and Technology. He has worked in the food industry and university sector for over 30 years, having held senior technical management roles with Australian and UK retailers. Key industry sectors that Andreas has worked with include the fresh produce and value-added sectors. Andreas is passionate about delivering safe and high-quality outcomes for food businesses and consumers.
Emeritus Professor Robyn McConchie
Company Secretary
Professor Robyn McConchie has been involved in postharvest research and education for over 35 years working on minimising pesticide use, and more recently food safety, and development of functional foods from waste. She has worked at the University of Sydney for 20 years and while there worked closely with industry to initiate the Fresh Produce Safety Centre hosted. Robyn was also Director of the Australian Research Council Centre for Food Safety in the Fresh Produce Industry (2017-2021) which conducted industry-focused research to develop practical solutions to minimise food safety risks in fresh produce across the value chain. The Centre also trained a new generation of research professionals, to drive future food safety research. Robyn has led many international research and capacity building projects across Southeast Asia, the Pacific and Africa to address food security issues including diversifying diet through crop interventions and increasing impact of agricultural research. She is a member and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dr Damien Farrelly
Damien Farrelly is the NZGAP (New Zealand Good Agricultural Practice) and Food Safety manager at Horticulture New Zealand. NZGAP is owned by Horticulture New Zealand, and benchmarked to the universally recognised GLOBALG.A.P. scheme. The scheme provides assurance for the safe and sustainable production of fruit and vegetables in NZ, and is an integrated assurance system with Social Practice and Environmental modules, however, the core focus continues to be Food Safety. With his food safety hat on, Damien is the key industry contact with the NZ Ministry for Primary Industries for food safety policy, and implementation (e.g. Food Act 2014) and is a member of numerous food safety forums, working groups and research groups.
Dr Libby Harrison
Dr Libby Harrison is a scientist, manager, and leader with over 20 years of experience in leadership and management of science and scientists. Libby has a PhD in insect pest control from the University of London and experience of risk assessment and regulation of chemicals and organisms. After two years at the Paris-based OECD where she worked on harmonising pesticide and biocide regulations, in 2002 Libby came to New Zealand. Libby’s first role was with the Ministry for the Environment leading the legislative amendments following the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification.
On 18 July 2022, she joined the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre (NZFSSRC) as the third Director.
Libby has worked on Executive Teams for the Crown Research Institutes Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research and more recently the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). Libby worked for the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) from 2013-15 establishing eleven National Science Challenges.
Libby has governance experience through her role as a Trustee and Board member of the Wellington Ecosanctuary Zealandia. Libby is also on the Governance Group and Kahui M?ori for the Healthier Lives National Science Challenge, hosted by Otago University and a Board member of Grasslanz a wholly owned subsidiary of AgResearch a provider of plant technology.
Brendan Hayes
Brendan has 26 years’ experience in the fresh produce sector. He has spent time working in various roles within category management teams, growing teams and technical management through the UK, Europe, Israel and South Africa. Brendan is currently working in the Coles Fresh Produce Team as a category manager having previously looked after Responsible sourcing and technical management. Brendan has been in Australia for five years working with the grower base to improve Growing Standards, Food Safety, Environmental Impacts and Ethical issues that lead to better fresh produce for Australian consumers. Brendan is also a member of the HARPS team and the IFPA ANZ Science and Technical task force.
Andrew Redman
Andrew Redman is the Chief Technical Officer for Perfection Fresh Australia and is focussed on bringing a commercial and collaborative leadership style to deliver improved food safety and quality of fresh produce that deliver against ever increasing consumer expectations. Perfection Fresh Australia is one of the Australia’s largest growers, marketers and processors of fresh fruit and vegetables operating nationally across multiple produce categories with significant market share in each. Andrew has broad global experience with over 20 years in the food industry in senior Quality and Research roles, working for some of the world’s largest food manufacturers including General Mills, Danone, Mars and Campbells Soups.
Belinda Wilson-Chartres
Belinda Wilson-Chartres has over 25 years’ experience in the fresh food industry with previous roles in management, marketing, operations and quality assurance along with providing technical and auditing expertise to local and international certification bodies. Belinda is the Director of Fresh Business Directions, specialising in fresh produce compliance consulting and Fresh Business Training, a registered training organisation specialising in food safety and quality training. Belinda holds a Bachelor of Management (International Marketing), a Bachelor of Business (Operations Management and Quality Assurance), and further qualifications in Food Safety and Quality Management, Food Technology and Nutrition. Belinda has contributed to many committees, strategy and advisory groups for not-for-profits, businesses, schools and local and state government. She is an active member of the Technical Advisory Group for HARPS. An industry ambassador, Belinda is passionate about the fresh produce industry.
Ben Hoodless
Ben has over 20 years’ experience working in A-NZ and South-East Asia for large multinational R&D companies. Ben is the Managing Director A-NZ of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) – the largest and most diverse international association serving its members in the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain.
Ben has a global mindset, and is committed to delivering value for IFPA members, both in A-NZ, but also globally.