CEO Graincorp, Director ANZ

Presentation:
‘Self actualization or survival? Innovating for food security’ (November 18, 9.00am)

Alison Watkins is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASX listed agribusiness GrainCorp Limited.

She is also a non-executive director of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited.

Alison’s experience includes running businesses, providing financial and strategic advice; and public and private company board roles. Her industry focus spans financial services, food, agriculture and retail. She was Chief Executive Officer of Berri Limited, the market leader in Australian juice, and Managing Director of Regional Banking at ANZ. She spent 10 years at McKinsey & Company from 1989-1999 and became a partner of the Firm in 1996 before moving to ANZ as Group General Manager Strategy, reporting to the CEO. Alison started her career with Chartered Accountants, Touche Ross.

Alison has been a director of Woolworths Limited, Just Group Limited, and chairman of Mrs Crocket’s Kitchen, which was controlled by a leading private equity fund. She is a former Victorian President and National Board Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

She has been involved in a range of community boards, including the World Swimming Championships 2007 and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. She is currently a member of the Australian Advisory Board of The Nature Conservancy.

Alison holds a Bachelor of Commerce (University of Tasmania), is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, and the AICD.

Alison and her husband live in Melbourne with their four children.