The Gippsland Centre of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI Gippsland Centre) aims to grow Australia’s forest and forest products industry by exploring and facilitating innovation in the plantation forest products sector in areas such as forest management, timber processing, wood fibre recovery, value adding, advanced manufacturing and the bio-economy.
Andrew is a Professor of Management and Associate Dean Engagement at Federation Business School, Federation University. Andrew has also held positions at Latrobe, Deakin, and Monash Universities in Australia and Surrey University, Cranfield University and Henley Management College in the UK. His research and publications focus on creative problem solving in high performing teams, innovation and supply chain management.
Prior to a career in academia Andrew spent 22 years in industry working across Europe as a Regional Manager of International Development with GKN Plc, a consultant with Asiawide International Ltd based in Singapore and Malaysia.
Andrew has advised a number of global businesses both in Australia and overseas, as well as numerous small and medium sized enterprises, specifically on how to create and manage innovation portfolios in order to maximise supply chain performance.
The Mount Gambier Centre of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI Mount Gambier Centre) aims to grow Australia’s forest and forest products industry by exploring and facilitating innovation in the plantation forest products sector in areas such as forest management, timber processing, wood fibre recovery, value adding, advanced manufacturing and the bio-economy.
Sara Gipton leads business development at PF Olsen Australia. She is the Chair of AFPA’s Climate Policy Sub-Committee. Sara is an expert for the Australian carbon market and the complex workings of carbon legislation. Sara’s previous roles include CEO of Greenfleet, a pioneer of biodiverse carbon projects in Australia and CEO of FSC Australia where she led the finalisation and launch of the first FSC Australian Forest Management Standard. Sara is a Chartered Accountant and was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2011 and recently named ‘Life Fellow’ of the Energy Efficiency Council following 5 years of service on the Board.
The Launceston Centre of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI Launceston Centre) aims to grow Australia’s forest and forest products industry by exploring and facilitating innovation in the forest products sector in areas such as forest management, timber processing, wood fibre recovery, value adding, advanced manufacturing and the bio-economy.
Terry Edwards recently retired following 16 years as the Chief executive Officer of the Forest Industries Association of Tasmania from 2002 until July 2018. During his time at FIAT Terry served on a number of Boards and Committees aimed at increasing the focus of the industry on research and development and innovation including the Forest and Forest Industries Council, the Ministerial Advisory Council and the Tasmanian Timber Promotion Board. Prior to his appointment to FIAT Terry was the Deputy CEO at the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industries where he had been employed for the preceding 20 years. Terry’s role at FIAT was very wide ranging involving lobby of Federal and State Governments, policy development and implementation, maintaining cohesive strategic industry relationships, representation of FIAT on abroad range of State and Industry Boards, Committees, Councils etc. covering the full gamut of industry issues.