Riverland Wine, which represents the region’s winegrape growers and its wineries has appointed an Operations Manager following a shift in its organisational structure as part of its five-year Strategic Plan.
Jo Battersby has been appointed to support the organisation in delivering outcomes against the plan, allowing Executive Chair Chris Byrne to focus more on strategic issues and building relationships.
Byrne said: “This appointment has been made after much deliberation over the skill set needed for effective, implementation of the plan. The timing of this appointment will ensure Riverland Wine members will be best placed to ride the new wave of prosperity as values of grapes, wine and properties all reveal steady improvement.
“The selection process was rigorous. Jo has endured a baptism of fire in an intense first month of ‘induction’ to the grape and wine industry.
“To have discovered this talent right here in the Riverland was an extra bonus. It represents a further strengthening of Riverland Wine and the region.”
Byrne described the Operations Manager as a “pivotal role” for the organisation, saying that Battersby will “lead the ongoing development of Australia’s largest wine region, building on the themes of leadership, innovation, unity and pride”.
He added: “Jo will have overall responsibility for day-to-day operations at Riverland Wine. Working closely with the Management Committees, members, delivery groups, government bodies, industry agencies, growers and winemakers, she will encourage cooperation and collaboration for the benefit of the region’s wine industry.”
Riverland Wines’ five-year Strategic Plan was set in motion in 2014 and its aims including enabling the region to respond rapidly to market demand and adapt quickly and competitively to the changing preferences of global wine consumers.
The organisation said that the past 12 months has seen “substantial positive progress in the right direction as years of hard work and planning come to fruition”.