Corporate Governance
Rural Funds Management Limited (RFM) seeks to set high standards in corporate governance in line with the Australian Standards, namely:
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Standard for Corporate Governance | AS8000 |
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Corporate Social Responsibility | AS8003 |
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Organisational Code of Conduct | AS8002 |
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Fraud & Corruption Control | AS8001 |
RFM utilises a management system that focuses on structure, operations and a commitment to continual improvement. RFM has also established an external compliance committee, which meets on a quarterly basis.
In addition, the RFM Board has adopted a Board Charter (Adopted August 2009) outlining its commitment to conduct itself in an honest and responsible way, whilst enhancing shareholder value.
Board Members
David Bryant MAgB, Managing Director
David is the founder and Managing Director of RFM. In 1992, whilst working as a financial planner David conceived the idea of offering well managed and large scale agricultural investment opportunities to retail and institutional investors. Over the following five years David undertook agricultural education and market research which led to the foundation of RFM in 1997.
Over the past 13 years, David has led the RFM team that has acquired over $300 million in agricultural assets across
four states. This includes negotiating the acquisition of more than 25 properties and over 60,000 mega litres of water entitlements.
Developments have included $30m irrigated row crop developments, $50m of vineyards, $60m of broiler chicken farms, and $70m of almond orchards.
On a day-to-day level, David is responsible for leading the RFM executive team including recruiting and directing senior farm personnel, sourcing new agricultural opportunities, and the design and implementation of farm development plans and product marketing strategies.
David holds a Diploma of Financial Planning from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and in 2008 completed a Master of Agribusiness at Melbourne University.
Guy Paynter, Non-Executive Chairman
Guy was initially appointed to the RFM Board in February 2004. Following GSL's acquisition of RFM in September 2007, he resigned from the board and has since been re-appointed in April 2010.
A former director of the broking firm JB Were, Guy brings more than 30 years of experience in corporate finance to RFM. He is a former member of the Australian Stock Exchange and a former associate of the Securities Institute of Australia. He is currently the Chairman of Aircruising Australia Ltd.
Guy's agricultural interests include a cattle breeding enterprise in the Upper Hunter region of NSW.
Guy has a Bachelor of Laws from Melbourne University.
Michael Carroll, Non-Executive Director
Michael brings to the RFM Board his diverse experience in an array of senior executive positions in a range of companies. He also serves a range of agribusiness companies in a board and advisory capacity. Directorships include Meat & Livestock Australia, Rural Finance Corporation and Sunny Queen Farms. Michael consults to leading farmer groups such as Birchip Cropping, Dairy Australia, Farmlink and FM500.
Michael was employed by NAB for six years and was instrumental in establishing and leading NAB's Agribusiness division. Prior to this position, he was a Senior Adviser in NAB's internal investment banking and corporate advisory department.
Before joining NAB, Michael worked for agriculture sector companies, including Monsanto Agricultural Products, Schering Pty Ltd and Gene Link Australia Ltd, a biotechnology venture capital company.
Michael's qualifications include the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School Boston, an MBA from Melbourne University Business School and a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from La Trobe University.
Investors are also encouraged to read the Financial Services Guide to obtain further information, and prior to acquiring products named on this website.