17 October 2025. Niki Ford, AgForce CEO
It's hard to believe I'm already three weeks into my role as CEO of AgForce.
The pace has been swift, the conversations rich, and I am genuinely energised by the depth of commitment that runs through this organisation.
What stands out to me most in these first weeks is the strength and passion of our people - our members, team, and volunteers who together make AgForce what it is. Every interaction has reminded me that this organisation exists for, and because of, our members. They are the heartbeat of this representative body, and everything we do must deliver value right back to them and to the communities they represent.
In my first week, I was able to connect with many parts of the organisation - including our Policy and Operations teams, Regional Managers, the SIPP team, and our line managers. I also had valuable handover time with Shane McCarthy, attended the NFF AgXchange conference, and began building relationships with key stakeholders such as Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett, Primary Industries Director-General Graeme Bolton, and their respective advisors.
I'm focussed on deepening connections across AgForce and with our members. I've met members of our Board and Directors through gatherings such as the General Board meeting at Mary Street, the Cattle Board meeting in Cloncurry, the Cane Board's online session, as well as joining the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee (FRAC) to get across our financial position. These sessions reinforced how dedicated our elected representatives are to driving strong outcomes for Queensland producers.
It's been equally rewarding to engage with members at events such as All About Beef, where I connected with Cattle Australia, corporate partners, and the Indonesian Ambassador, Dr Siswo Promono. These pivotal relationships are a great example of AgForce's leadership and influence across the sector. I also joined the Rural Press Club to celebrate Rural Women's Day - an inspiring and timely reminder of the leadership, talent, and resilience that runs deep through rural Queensland.
Externally, I've met with Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last, Robbie Katter MP, as well as representatives from the Federal Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Biosecurity Queensland, and from Southern Queensland Landscapes. These conversations are helping shape a clearer view of the challenges and opportunities ahead for our industry - and how AgForce can best serve our members in navigating them.
Inside the organisation, I've met one-on-one with team members across Policy, Operations, Regional Management, and our Commodity groups. Our joint Policy and Regional Manager session was a particular highlight - seeing how we can better connect what happens on the ground with our advocacy at state and national levels.
Over coming weeks, I look forward to meeting more of our team and members as I travel through the regions. I want to understand our business from the grassroots up - to see first-hand the work happening across Queensland and the people driving it.
These first weeks have confirmed what I already believed and now firmly know: AgForce's greatest strength lies in its members - their voice, their expertise, and their unwavering belief in the future of Queensland agriculture. It's an incredible privilege to represent you, and I'm looking forward to what we'll achieve together in the months ahead.
