Lee McLean is the new chief executive officer of Australian Grape & Wine, replacing Tony Battaglene.
He was previously the general manager of Government Relations and External Affairs for the organisation.
Mr McLean has a background in the public service, in both the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Agriculture.
“Lee has demonstrated the past achievements and the vision that is required to take Australian Grape & Wine to the next level of evolution,” says chair John Hart.
“Given the challenges the Australian wine industry currently faces, the Board has set Australian Grape & Wine the mandate to be the most inclusive and effective advocacy body it can be.
“It is our belief that Lee McLean is the best CEO to drive that outcome for the industry.”
Mr McLean says, “It is a great honour to be appointed as CEO of Australian Grape & Wine and I look forward to working with Australia’s world-leading grapegrowers and winemakers to help drive a positive agenda for the sector in the years to come.
“As an early priority, I am keen to listen carefully to our members, understand the challenges and opportunities, and make sure our team is focusing on the issues that matter most to grape and wine businesses.”
Mr Hart says, “We are looking forward to Lee being able to take on the CEO role in the near term to ensure an effective transition from our current CEO, Mr Tony Battaglene.”
AGW says that an extensive international search was conducted over the first quarter of the financial year to find a new CEO.
“This search revealed a substantial and very high-quality field of applicants,” AGW says.
“The Board is grateful to all of the applicants for their interest in this important role.”
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