Region’s advocate resigns

ONE of the key players driving Darling Downs growth in the agricultural and business sectors has announced his resignation.

Food Leaders Australia CEO Dr Ben Lyons said yesterday he had resigned from the organisation which had helped drive investment and the profile of the wider region.

He was the former CEO of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, the group with which FLA had partnered to lead a business delegation to Hong Kong in September.

Dr Lyons said he would remain in the region with his family, and continue to consult with FLA and TSBE on current, and future, projects.

“There’s a lot of opportunities yet to be tapped and we’ve proven that with insight, private and public investment, collaboration and innovation, our region’s story is still developing,” he said.

Dr Lyons highlighted Cathay Pacific’s freight flights through Wellcamp airport, and last year’s successful AccessChina trade delegation to Shanghai, as major milestones during his tenure.

“I’m staying in the region with my family,” he said.

“I believe in the region and I’m a great believer in what TSBE/FLA can achieve and the work they still have to do.”

Dr Lyons’s final day will be May 31, and will likely be replaced by a general manager.

TSBE executive chairman Shane Charles credited Dr Lyons with driving the region’s agricultural growth.

“The region’s profile as the agricultural hub of Australia has been strengthened under Ben’s leadership and we’ve seen that promoted and developed through conferences like 400M AgTech here in Toowoomba,” Mr Charles said.