Dr Nigel Crump – Interim Chair

Dr Nigel Crump is a potato specialist with extensive experience working in the Australian potato industry. Nigel is the General Manager for the Australian Seed Potato Industry Certification Authority (AuSPICA), which is an industry-based organisation that operates the seed potato certification Scheme in South Australia, Victoria and northern New South Wales. In addition to seed certification, Dr Crump oversees the Toolangi Elite business which produces G0 potato minitubers and tissue culture plantlets. AuSPICA also has a significant role in providing a range of professional technical services to the wider potato industry. Dr Crump enjoys a leadership role in the development and delivery of technical knowledge and services to a range of clients, and in so doing he works with a small team of potato specialists. Nigel has a strong knowledge of potato production and regular provides advice to potato growers through practical solutions to overcome production constraints and ultimately maximise crop performance and quality.
Dr Crump is the deputy Co-Chair of United Nations Economic for Europe (UNECE) Specialized Section of seed potatoes and is a Director of the World Potato Congress.

Dr Crump is a member of the Australasian Plant Pathology Society, the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST), Potato Association of America and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Qualifications: PhD. Sc. (Ag.), Grad. Dip. App.Sc. (Ag.), B.App.Sc. (Ag.)

Andrew Widdison – Director

Andrew is a third generation potato farmer located at Kalangadoo in the southeast of South Australia and has been growing processing potatoes for more than thirty years. He has remained chair of the South East Potato Growers Association (SEPGA) for 20 years and was an inaugural Potatoes SA board member, serving for 10 years.

A passionate and invested advocate, Andrew is keen to see innovation, improvement, sustainability, and the continued growth of the potato industry as a whole.

Rod Knight – Director

Prior to commencing in the agricultural sector in 2006, Rod was a finance professional in large multi-national manufacturing organisations within the Telecommunications, Defence and Broadcast industries. From 2006 until 2017 Rod has served as the Chief Financial Officer within large privately-owned fresh produce businesses with full function finance responsibility, with a focus on strategic and operational performance. This has included strategy deployment, implementing Lean Management principles, implementing ERP systems, leveraging business process efficiencies, steering major cost reduction programs, and growing export markets. Rod joined Thomas Foods International Fresh Produce in 2014 as Chief Financial Officer, and in 2017 was appointed Chief Executive Officer. In September 2019 Rod joined Lindsay Australia Ltd in a Commercial Manager role.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Business (Accounting) (Monash University), CPA

Nathan Plant – Director

Nathan has a long history in the potato sector both in Australia and other markets. His current position is Chief Operation Officer for SA Potato Company, where he prides himself on his leadership and mentoring skills with a passion for the Potato Industry.

Nathan has broad and deep experience in developing and managing various vertically integrated Agricultural businesses specialising in potato cultivation/farming both within the European and Australian market.

Mark Jackson – Director

Mark is a Partner of Crawford Legal, an Adelaide-based commercial law firm, and heads its dispute resolution team. Mark has over 17 years’ experience advising clients across a broad range of industries. In his current role, he is focused on assisting clients throughout Australia navigate commercial disputes. He also advises clients on structuring and implementing commercial transactions and corporate governance. Before joining Crawford Legal, Mark was the Head of Legal and Compliance for national ASX-listed agribusiness, Elders Limited. He has significant experience advising agribusiness clients across all points of the value chain, including growers, manufacturers, distributors and exporters.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Bachelor of Economics and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice

Allan Smith – Director

Allan has had over 30 years of experience in Australian agriculture. Based in Brisbane, Allan is the national agricultural procurement manager for Snack Brands Australia, which processes potatoes sourced from a broad supply network over southern and eastern Australia. Allan has been involved in the potato industry for 20 years, directly through development and management of potato supply chains as well as various industry horticultural R&D advisory roles. Allan is currently the chair of the Potato Processors Association of Australia, representing the major processors of potatoes in Australia on potato industry issues.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Agricultural Science (University of Queensland), Graduate Diploma Business Management (University of Southern Queensland)