The Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics is managed by an experienced, professional board. The structure of the Centre incorporates several innovations, These include an independent commercially orientated non representative board supporting a research based chief executive. The Directors meet quarterly to discuss the strategic direction of the ACPFG and to ensure performance goals are met.

Current Board Members

Mr Nicholas Begakis AM (Chair)
Board member since 8 November 2002

Nick has over 30 years experience in manufacturing industries, as an entrepreneur creating his own enterprises, in venture capital, merchant banking and corporate recovery roles and as an independent, non-executive chairman and company Director. His interests involve organisations with a focus in increasing economic activity by encouraging entrepreneurial activities, commercialisation of innovation and exports to create prosperity for all. He takes part in various industry advocacy groups at the state and national level; is on the Council of Flinders University of South Australia; and is part-owner of the Australian supermarket category leader in dried fruit confectionery. He also works with not for profit groups. Nick is a professional Director at the strategic and governance levels, helping organizations to achieve their corporate goals.

Email: Nicholas Begakis

Professor Peter Langridge (CEO)
Board member since 8 November 2002

Peter has been a Professor in Plant Science since 1998 and has been with the University of Adelaide since 1984. Until 2002 he was the Research Director for the CRC for Molecular Plant Breeding. His research has focused on development and application of molecular biology to crop improvement. For this work he received an Australian Technology Award in 1998. He is currently a member of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee of the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, a member of the scientific advisory group for the USA National Science Foundations Wheat SNP Program and convener for the International Triticeae Mapping Initiative (ITMI). ITMI is the major international body coordinating genetic and genomics research in wheat and barley and provides a forum for the development and discussion of collaborative programs.

Email: Peter Langridge

Mr Simon Drilling
Board member since 8 February 2003

Simon is a Chartered Accountant and an Investment Research Analyst with Thornton Group. He has previously been Director of Kirribilli Wines, Director of the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Policy Board, member of the Deloitte Consulting Asia Pacific Africa Management Committee and member of the Deloitte Consulting Worldwide Board. His previous roles include Project Director for BioInnovation SA, CEO for Deloitte Consulting Australasia and leader of Deloitte Consulting Utility Industry Group in Australasia. He specialises in strategy development and has knowledge of the latest technologies and their impact on corporate and competitive development.

Email: Simon Drilling

Ms Maggie Dowling
Board member since 8 February 2003

Maggie is Executive Manager of ABB Grain Ltd. She is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Women in Agriculture and the Crop Science Society of South Australia. Currently Maggie is a Director of MBQIP Ltd., a company set up to commercialise technology outcomes from the Malting Barley Quality Improvement Program. Maggie has previously held positions with AusBulk and the Australian Barley Board. She played a key role in establishing Graintrust, a joint venture company with five other leading Australian agri-businesses. She is a past Director, Deputy Chairperson, Treasurer and Public Officer of Graintrust.

Email: Maggie Dowling

Professor Vicki Sara
Board member since 1 July 2004

Vicki became Chief Executive Officer of the ARC in July 2001. From September 1997 to June 2001 she was the Chair of the Council and a member of the Prime Minister’s Science Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC). She is Chair of the Bureau of Meteorology Advisory Board and a member of the Cooperative Research Centres Committee, the Advisory Board of the Rio Tinto Foundation for a Sustainable Minerals Industry and the Australian Law Reform Commission Gene Patenting Advisory Committee. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. Vicki was appointed Vice-Chair of the OECD’s Global Science Forum in 1999, and a member of the Advisory Board of the APEC R&D Leaders Forum in 2002.

Email: Vicki Sara

Mr Michael Gilbert
Company Secretary

Michael managed the project leading to the incorporation of the ACPFG in late 2002. In July 2003 he joined the ACPFG as General Manager and Company Secretary and has responsibility for intellectual property management and commercialisation activities. Michael also heads the administration unit that manages research grants and reports to the funding bodies. He is responsible for ensuring that the administration of the ACPFG complies with the relevant agreements and deeds. Michael is supported by several other members of the ACPFG administration team. He is also a Director of AusBiotech Ltd.

Email: Michael Gilbert

Past Board Members

Professor Alan Robson
Professor Alan Robson has been the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of The University of Western Australia since 1993.   He was the Foundation Director of the CRC for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Head of the School of Agriculture and Professor of Agriculture (Soil Science) at UWA.   He is also Deputy Chair of the Research Grants Committee of the ARC, and is involved with the Australian Universities Teaching Committee and the National Library Board of Australia. He has recently been elected as a Director of the Australian Universities Quality Agency.   In 1987 he was elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and later awarded the Australian Medal of Agricultural Science and elected a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science.