Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation appoints new board

Five new appointments have been made: Josephine Rozman, Kate Thompson, Natalie Toohey, Kevin McLintock and Dr Tony Jordan, with two existing members - Andrew Moore and Mark Purbrick returning to serve three-year terms.

The term of the new board, chaired by The Hon John Moore AO, is to April 2011.

"The board members bring a range of experience to the role and will help the Australian wine industry consolidate after a period of strong growth. The board will also work with industry to help meet the challenges of climate change and a shrinking world," Mr Burke said.

Mr Burke also thanked retiring members, Angus Kennedy, Caroline Dunn, Leon Deans, and Michael De Palma, for their contributions to the AWBC and the Australian wine industry.

Profile of the AWBC board:

Andrew Moore - Owner, Build Your Own Brands, specialising in the sale, marketing and distribution of wine internationally and domestically.

Josephine Rozman - Marketing consultant to Australian and international wine-industry-related companies on domestic marketing and distribution strategies and export planning.

Kate Thompson - Legal Counsel and Company Secretary, Pernod Ricard Pacific Pty Ltd. Kate has considerable legal and commercial experience in the wine industry.

Kevin McLintock - Deputy Chairman, McWilliam's Wines Pty Ltd. Kevin has wide experience in the wine industry, including in international marketing and trade development.

Mark Purbrick - Managing Director, Management Solutions Australia. Mark has extensive wine industry experience, particularly in marketing, administration and business management.

Natalie Toohey - Director, Corporate and Australia Asia Pacific Communications, Foster's Group, Victoria. Natalie has extensive skills covering executive business management and public administration.

Tony Jordan - Currently Chief Executive Officer of three successful Australian and New Zealand wineries. Tony was previously a consultant on wine-making and viticulture.

Chairman John Moore AO was appointed on 1 July 2006. Mr Moore has had an extensive career in the public and private sectors, including as a former Howard government minister. He is Deputy Chairman of Mineral Securities Ltd, a resource investment business.

Mr Moore commented "the complementary expertise of the board will be of great value to the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. New leadership with some continuity strikes the balance that is needed as we maintain and progress our role of supporting the Australian wine sector."