bindaree food group
MEET THE LEADERS
Andrew McDonald
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Andrew is the son of the Bindaree Food Group founder, JR McDonald, and first joined the business in 1988. Over the next 15 years, Andrew dedicated himself to working in every department, advancing through the ranks, and developing an in-depth understanding of the key drivers across our operations. As a result, he became highly skilled in both upstream and downstream elements of the business . Since his return in 2012, Andrew has been instrumental in driving the development of our business transformation plan, but more importantly, he has built an exceptionally strong executive and management team around him.
Andrew is the son of the Bindaree Food Group founder, JR McDonald, and first joined the business in 1988. Over the next 15 years, Andrew dedicated himself to working in every department, advancing through the ranks, and developing an in-depth understanding of the key drivers across our operations. As a result, he became highly skilled in both upstream and downstream elements of the business . Since his return in 2012, Andrew has been instrumental in driving the development of our business transformation plan, but more importantly, he has built an exceptionally strong executive and management team around him.
Todd Newton
CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER
Todd is an accomplished professional with over two decades of experience in the livestock and processing industry. As the Chief People Officer at Bindaree Food Group, Todd is entrusted with leadership and oversight of a range of critical programs, including human resources, health, safety, and environmental programs, as well as information technology and payroll divisions. His extensive background equips him to expertly navigate complex compliance, legislative, and regulatory matters. Furthermore, his loyal commitment to family values ensures that employee well-being and satisfaction remain at the forefront of his initiatives, benefiting all team members.
Todd is an accomplished professional with over two decades of experience in the livestock and processing industry. As the Chief People Officer at Bindaree Food Group, Todd is entrusted with leadership and oversight of a range of critical programs, including human resources, health, safety, and environmental programs, as well as information technology and payroll divisions. His extensive background equips him to expertly navigate complex compliance, legislative, and regulatory matters. Furthermore, his loyal commitment to family values ensures that employee well-being and satisfaction remain at the forefront of his initiatives, benefiting all team members.
Louise Fitzpatrick
GENERAL COUNSEL
Louise joined Bindaree Food Group in 2022, bringing with her 15 years of experience gained from both in-house roles and private practice with organizations such as Allens, PwC, and Goodman Fielder, operating in Australia and Singapore. Her responsibilities have spanned across the Asia-Pacific, United Kingdom, European Union, and United States markets. Louise provides extensive legal advice in various areas including mergers & acquisitions, intellectual property, data protection, consumer law, employment law, and general commercial law. Additionally, she completed a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance through the Governance Institute of Australia in 2020.
Louise joined Bindaree Food Group in 2022, bringing with her 15 years of experience gained from both in-house roles and private practice with organizations such as Allens, PwC, and Goodman Fielder, operating in Australia and Singapore. Her responsibilities have spanned across the Asia-Pacific, United Kingdom, European Union, and United States markets. Louise provides extensive legal advice in various areas including mergers & acquisitions, intellectual property, data protection, consumer law, employment law, and general commercial law. Additionally, she completed a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance through the Governance Institute of Australia in 2020.
Andrew Simpson
CHIEF STRATEGY & INVESTMENT OFFICER
Andrew flew in from Singapore in 2018 to reside in Inverell and take up the role of CCO at Bindaree. With a wealth of experience spanning three decades in international meat trade, Andrew brings a deep understanding of global supply chain complexities and continues to lead the alignment between market pillars and the company’s buy, make, and sell divisions. In 2024, Andrew was promoted to CSIO, overseeing group strategic investments targeting change management, growth, and business sustainability. Holding a degree in Agricultural Science, an MBA, and being a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD), he also sits on the Board of the Australian Meat Industry Council.
Andrew flew in from Singapore in 2018 to reside in Inverell and take up the role of CCO at Bindaree. With a wealth of experience spanning three decades in international meat trade, Andrew brings a deep understanding of global supply chain complexities and continues to lead the alignment between market pillars and the company’s buy, make, and sell divisions. In 2024, Andrew was promoted to CSIO, overseeing group strategic investments targeting change management, growth, and business sustainability. Holding a degree in Agricultural Science, an MBA, and being a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD), he also sits on the Board of the Australian Meat Industry Council.
Nigel Blakemore
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Nigel joined the passionate foodies at Bindaree Food Group in 2018 to support Andrew and the team in delivering on its long-term business aspirations. He has played a key role in enhancing the finance team's capabilities while aiding the development of the business's control framework as it continues its growth trajectory. With over 20 years of experience in the meat industry, Nigel previously held various finance leadership executive roles at Woolworths, including CFO for the joint venture between Woolworths and Hilton Food Group, where he led finance teams in supporting the entire Woolworths meat supply chain from paddock to processing, to store, to plate. His passion lies in the meat game.
Nigel joined the passionate foodies at Bindaree Food Group in 2018 to support Andrew and the team in delivering on its long-term business aspirations. He has played a key role in enhancing the finance team's capabilities while aiding the development of the business's control framework as it continues its growth trajectory. With over 20 years of experience in the meat industry, Nigel previously held various finance leadership executive roles at Woolworths, including CFO for the joint venture between Woolworths and Hilton Food Group, where he led finance teams in supporting the entire Woolworths meat supply chain from paddock to processing, to store, to plate. His passion lies in the meat game.
Paul Wightman
GENERAL MANAGER - OPERATIONS
Paul is highly experienced, with over 25 years in the meat and food trade industry, and oversees Bindaree Food Group's Brisbane, Burleigh Heads and Cooma operations. His leadership is marked by integrity and the ability to drive team performance and organisational growth. Paul’s expertise encompasses food production, meat processing, and a strong grasp of operational strategies, which have significantly improved efficiency and revenue in his roles. He has a Diploma of Meat Technology and is currently completing an MBA.
Paul is highly experienced, with over 25 years in the meat and food trade industry, and oversees Bindaree Food Group's Brisbane, Burleigh Heads and Cooma operations. His leadership is marked by integrity and the ability to drive team performance and organisational growth. Paul’s expertise encompasses food production, meat processing, and a strong grasp of operational strategies, which have significantly improved efficiency and revenue in his roles. He has a Diploma of Meat Technology and is currently completing an MBA.
From humble beginnings we’ve grown to deliver tailored protein solutions from the paddock to the plate across Australian and international markets. We are at the forefront of food trends with a global protein network, and believe in a connected, sustainable Australian beef supply chain.
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