Gerard McEvilly
Gerard is an agribusiness innovation manager with an extensive knowledge of supply chain, climate change and sustainability issues in Australia, with a particular focus on horticulture.
Gerard managed strategic planning and specific programmes for a range of horticultural industries with Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) for over thirteen years. He also held senior management positions, leading major whole-of-industry programs in sustainable development. These included the "Horticulture for Tomorrow" Environmental Assurance program and the Horticulture Water Initiative.
Gerard's strength is in integrating knowledge and expertise from different fields to reveal fresh insights. For example, his development of a strategic Supply Chain Management plan combined marketing, technical and people issues. He explored these issues through broad consultation with commercial, academic and government stakeholders. The resulting framework focused on driving change through know-how, transparent rewards, market knowledge and commercial innovation.
Gerard undertakes consulting assignments in aspects of all aspects of supply chain management. As well as understanding commercial agribusiness issues, Gerard draws on outstanding networks in all aspects of rural R&D.
Gerard has a strong interest in education and training. He lectures part-time at Sydney University has managed a Federal rural training program and initiated a careers and courses guide for horticulture, first published in 2009. He is an active member of the Australian Society of Horticulture Science and is a member of the joint Australia and New Zealand team organising the 29th International Horticulture Congress in Brisbane in 2014.
Gerard recently completed an MBA (Technology Management) through LaTrobe University.
He also holds a BSc (Hons)II(i) in Agricultural Science from the University of Nottingham, UK, majoring in Horticulture and Environmental Physics.