Simon Irwin’s distinguished and diverse career that encompasses a wealth of commercial business experience has culminated in his appointment as CEO of Beef Australia.
After studying journalism, Mr Irwin worked as a stock and station agent through rural Queensland before enjoying 34 years in leading roles across media operations and management for News Corp and APN.
He managed The Central Queensland News in Emerald, was deputy general manager for The Daily News/Gold Coaster in Tweed Heads, general manager of The News-Mail in Bundaberg, regional manager based in Lismore and Rockhampton, director of sales and operations and then, finally, executive general manager regionals.
When News Corp in Queensland transitioned from a print to digital focus in 2020, Mr Irwin called time on his career and began what his wife, Linda refers to as his “gap year”.
It was during Mr Irwin’s “first real break since school” that the opportunity arose with Beef Australia and, as he says, “here we are”.
He will head the team as planning begins for Beef 2024 to be held in Rockhampton from Sunday 5 May to Saturday 11 May, 2024.
“It was always a role that has interested me and so when it came up I did commit myself to the process,” Mr Irwin said.
“I think Beef is a globally-recognised event, it’s an Australian event, an iconic event and, apart from anything else, it’s here in Rockhampton. So, it kind of ticked a lot of boxes for me.
“I also thought that it brings together a lot of the experience I’ve had, from an understanding, as imperfect as it is, of the cattle industry, understanding central Queensland and having worked around Queensland for a long time, you’re not starting from scratch and learning names around the place.”
Mr Irwin credits his five years as a stock and station agent/ auctioneer for AML-Estates and Elders Pastoral in the 1980s as laying the foundation for his commercial business success.
“The thing about being a stock agent is, particularly in those days, you did so many different things,” he said.
“You helped out with merchandise stocktakes and sales, you sold sheep and cattle, as well as real estate sales and auctions.
“It was just a wonderful experience when you were a young person to be able to do so many different things. It taught you to be interested in a whole lot of different stuff, I suppose.”
Speaking to Queensland Farmer Today two days into his new role, Mr Irwin said he was confident of delivering another world class Beef Exposition in 2024, with the return of international attendees a high priority.
He said he was looking forward to organising an event “hopefully” unconstrained by the stress of Covid-19.
“It would be lovely just to be able to do what we do really well but do it without the turmoil that they went through last year,” he said.
“We had 115,866 people going through Beef Australia in May 2021 – a 15 per cent increase from 2018 – and, within weeks, they were playing rugby league in empty stadiums.
“It’s a great testament to the faith that our sponsors, exhibitors and the public have in the organisation, but it also shows the faith that the Board had in the team to put it on.
“My focus will be to ensure that, through growth and innovation, this event continues to lead the world and help to secure beef producers a bright and sustainable future.”
Beef Australia chairman Bryce Camm said a specialist recruiter oversaw more than 180 applications from candidates across Australia vying for the role.
“We were delighted with the extremely high calibre of applicants for this role and the commitment to work through a comprehensive recruitment process,“ he said.
“We are confident we have secured the best candidate for the role and are excited by what Simon brings to the organisation through his vast experience in the commercial sector.“
The first Beef Expo was held in 1988 and its success saw it grow to a triennial event.
Despite Covid-19 difficulties, last year’s event delivered more than $94 million to the Rockhampton and Livingstone economies.
