Board of Directors

PETER BENDER

Founder of Huon with over 28 years’ experience in fish farming operations
Peter is responsible for the leadership, operations and strategic direction of Huon and has always been committed to delivering high quality salmon that is raised responsibly.
He sets business strategy and leads the executive team to deliver growth
He is well recognised for farming innovation both in Australia and internationally and his extensive knowledge of aquaculture coupled with a strong continuous improvement ethic is the foundation on which Huon’s success is built
Peter was born into a Tasmanian business family with farming and agribusiness interest and has a strong background in land-based farm management. The principles that guide land-based farming of keeping the stock well-fed, stress-free and healthy are the central tenets that Peter has successfully transferred to aquaculture
He was named E&Y’s Entrepreneur of the Year in the Retail, Consumer and Industrial Products category within the Southern Region division (CY2007)

Prior to founding Huon, Peter established with a partner the largest trellised apricot orchard in Tasmania and ran several other small businesses

Founder of Huon with over 30 years’ experience in fish farming operations
Frances provides Huon a leading voice in both local, national and international industry, regulatory and stakeholder forums. She was a keynote speaker at the 2014 World Aquaculture Forum in Adelaide and led the industry’s response to the (former) Federal Government’s Biosecurity Bill
She is passionate about the community, community support and capacity building for the regions in which Huon operate, demonstrated though the implementation of the Company’s “Helping Hand” community grants program
Frances has been instrumental in the design of the Huon brand and its marketing direction and will continue to be responsible for these areas after ASX listing
She has also fulfilled various roles with Huon from payroll, HR, accounts and customer service and continues to provide active leadership and guidance in these areas
Frances was nominated in the Pride of Australia Medal’s environment category in 2014
She was also voted Tasmanian RIRDC Rural Woman of the Year in 2001
Frances was awarded Centenary Medal for service to agribusiness and community in 2001

Neil has significant leadership experience in major Australian and international food companies with senior roles at Goodman Fielder Limited and National Foods Limited
His most recent role was Chief Strategy Officer of ASX-listed company Goodman Fielder Limited from 2011 – 2014 and before that he was Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory Co. Holdings Limited from 2007 – 2009

Neil has previously been a board member for Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory Co. Holdings Limited as well as being a Director of National Foods Holdings Ltd 2005 – 2007 and Vitasoy Australia Products Pty Ltd 1999 – 2007

Simon has been an adviser to Huon since 1994, with extensive experience with the salmon industry
He has 30 years’ experience in corporate finance and corporate tax, having advised the Tasmanian Government and State owned business enterprises
His former roles include Partnership at Deloitte and PBS Partner as well as senior management roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG
Member of Financial Services Institute of Australasia, Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, The Tax Institute and Australian Risk Policy Institute

Simon is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Tasmania, Master of Applied Finance and Investment from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and Chartered Tax Adviser from The Tax Institute

Tony has extensive leadership and finance experience gained largely in food, beverage and stockfeed businesses with senior roles in international and ASX-listed companies.
The majority of Tony’s career was with international food company H J Heinz, covering a 20 year period, including roles for Heinz Australia as Joint Managing director from 1994 to 1997 and Chief Financial Officer from 1988 to 1994.
He was also Managing Director of Farm Pride Foods Ltd and Executive Chairman of Palm Springs Ltd, both ASX listed companies.
More recently Tony has had leadership roles in privately owned stockfeed businesses based in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
Tony is a member of CPA Australia.