Meet the Board of Directors

Rob Taber, an Armidale based cattle and crop farmer also owns and is the founding Director of New England Solar Power.

He has a deep interest in agribusiness and creating economic development for the New England Region of New South Wales and is passionate about providing New England producers an innovative and cost effective alternative processing solution for their livestock.

Rob’s involvement in providing alternative energy solutions has resulted in the design and installation of thousands of solar power systems over the last 22 years.
Rob has received awards for both the Armidale Business Leader of the Year and the Regional Business Leader of the Year. He has held Board positions at Jobs Australia which supports his vision to drive economic development and create sustainable employment opportunities.

Rob brings a wealth of agribusiness and commercial experience to the Board. His experience in the following areas is an important asset to the overall business aims of New England Innovation and Development Pty Ltd.

Agribusiness, Alternative Energy, Solar Power Solutions, Commercial Property Investment,  Commerce, Local Politics

Qualifications:

• CEC: Clean Energy Council Accreditation
• BCSE: Business Council for Sustainable Energy Accreditation

Shane Voigt’s strong association with agribusiness and the food industry extends to over 36 years.
His senior management roles with global conveyor belt manufacturer, Ammeraal Beltech (previously Rydell Industrial (Belting) Co) has provided him with extensive knowledge and experience in the agribusiness and food manufacturing sectors, particularly with meat processing facilities and abattoirs.
As a founding Director of New England Innovation and Development, Shane has worked tirelessly to advance the aims of the company and to bring about its vision to create a new state of the art meat processing facility in the heart of the New England Region.
Shane is an active and devoted member of the equine community in the New England Region, owning a number of horses and involved in the organisation of regional and national equestrian events.
Shane brings a wealth of industry experience and business skills to the Board that include:

Sales and Marketing, Business Development, Business Management, Customer Service, Commercial Contract Negotiation, Key Account Management, Material Handling Product Knowledge

Community Positions:

• President of Martins Gully Pony Club Inc – 4 years
• Member of The Pony Club Association of NSW – Zone 13
• Commentator – Australian Mounted Games Association – 10 years

Michael McHugh was admitted as a Solicitor in 1979 and has been practicing law for over 40 years. He is currently Solicitor Director of Stacks Law Firm in Tamworth, New South Wales.

Property Law, Business Law, Company Law, Finance, Agribusiness, Trusts, Equity, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Michael has had a long association with agribusiness through his legal work in representing clients throughout Regional and Rural Australia and has acted for large national and state corporate clients involved in the supply of specialist agribusiness products and services.

Elders Limited, Elders Bank, Landmark State Bank of NSW (now Commonwealth Bank of Australia)

Michael brings extensive experience and knowledge to the Board, particularly relating to the legal aspects of corporate structure, commercial contracts, land acquisition and subdivision. Additionally, his connection with the agribusiness community provides the Board with unique and valuable insights.

Qualifications:

• Australian Legal Practitioner
• Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Courts of Tasmania and Victoria
• Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Australia
• Solicitor of the Supreme Courts of New South Wales and Queensland
• BA – University of New England
• LLB (Hons) – University of Tasmania
• Accredited Specialist in Property Law – Law Society New South Wales

Professional Associations:

• Member of the New South Wales Law Society

Peter Geoffrey (Geoff) Bell is a fifth generation New England farmer and grazier living in Guyra NSW. An experienced fine wool Merino sheep breeder and beef and fat lamb producer, Geoff is firmly rooted in New England’s agribusiness community.
Aside from his farming business, Geoff is a significant local landowner and property developer with residential subdivisions and other developments. He has made available the land for the meat processing facility and an industrial subdivision under an option to purchase agreement with NEID Pty Ltd.
Geoff’s involvement in the local agribusiness sector has extended to a close working relationship with the Costa Group. His involvement by providing the land, was instrumental in the Costa Group developing, in Guyra, one the largest and most advanced glasshouse facilities in Australia for the cultivation of tomatoes.
Geoff passionately supports the development of the proposed meat processing facility at Guyra to maximise local employment, minimise stock transport costs for New England producers and to advance animal welfare.
Geoff is deeply involved in the Guyra community and is well respected as a farmer and businessman.
Geoff brings unique knowledge and perspective to the Board in areas which include:

Agribusiness, Farming, Lamb and Beef Production, Cropping, Livestock Trading, Feedlots, Animal Feed, Property Development Land Management, Local knowledge