Andrea Lemmon, Executive Manager – Funds Management

Andrea has been with RFM since its inception in 1997. Prior to joining RFM, Andrea was a partner with one of Canberra's largest financial planning firms and thus brought to RFM a strong financial planning background that has assisted RFM in the design of its products.

Until August 2007, Andrea led a team responsible for the provision of corporate services including legal and compliance, investor services, adviser services, human resources and OHS. Andrea was Chairperson of the RFM External Compliance Committee and a member of the Unit Pricing and Investment Policy Committee and the RFM Due Diligence Committee.

From August 2007, Andrea led the Asset Management team of National Managers managing the Company's horticultural and poultry assets. Andrea gained a solid understanding of farming practices and ensured each business optimised returns to investors.

In her current position as Executive Manager – Funds Management, Andrea is responsible for management of RFM's existing investor and adviser base as well as the development of new business. These responsibilities encompass the production of new products including RFM's research activities, and the provision of communications and services to RFM's existing network of investors and advisers.

Stuart Waight, Chief Operating Officer

Stuart joined RFM in 2003. As a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, Stuart brought to RFM extensive financial management experience in the accounting profession and in the commercial sector, including his role as a Chief Financial Officer of a publicly listed company with a turnover of $500m.

Stuart is responsible for reviewing and optimising the performance of the RFM funds and analysis of future developments, acquisitions and investments. As part of this role he oversees the Asset Management activities, as well as the Farm Management activities of the National Managers' - Poultry, Vines, Almonds and Cotton. In addition, Stuart is responsible for the Corporate Services team incorporating HR, HSE, IT, Compliance, Office Management and Insurance.

Stuart is a member of the Unit Pricing Committee which is responsible for the calculation, monitoring, review and publication of unit prices and is highly involved with the financial analysis and due diligence of potential acquisitions.

Melanie Doyle, Chief Financial Officer

Melanie joined RFM in December 2011, bringing over 20 years of experience working in financial services for a number of publicly listed companies and other business enterprises. Melanie’s experience includes roles as the CFO and Company Secretary for a global securities trading business operating in Australia, Asia, Europe and North America and the CFO for a private equity company’s investments. Melanie has an extensive background in taxation and also has significant experience in mergers and acquisitions in commercial environments.

As RFM’s Chief Financial Officer, Melanie is responsible for the RFM Finance and Accounting team, which manages and reports on the financial performance of both the RFM business and the funds that RFM manages.

Melanie holds a Master of International Taxation from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University, Canberra. Melanie is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of the Taxation Institute of Australia. Melanie has also undertaken professional development programs at the Harvard Business School of Executive Education and Wharton’s Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the University of Pennsylvania.

David Murdock, National Manager – Viticulture

David is responsible for the leadership and overall management of RFM's viticulture business. David's role includes maintaining key relationships with customers and suppliers, financial and budget management, property asset management, compliance control and vineyard staff management.

David has over 25 years' experience in the industry. Prior to joining RFM David was the General Manager of Vineyard Operations for Southcorp.

David holds an Associate Diploma of Viticulture from Charles Sturt University and has worked in vineyards across Australia including areas in Western Australia, the Hunter Valley, the Yarra Valley, Coonawarra and Margaret River.

Adriaan Shields, National Manager – Poultry

Adriaan joined RFM as General Manager of Poultry Operations in June 2004 and is responsible for the leadership and overall management of RFM's poultry business. Adriaan's role includes overseeing the day-to-day operation of thirteen farms in Griffith, New South Wales and four farms in Lethbridge, Victoria. A key aspect of Adriaan's role is managing the relationship between RFM and Baiada Poultry.

Prior to joining RFM, Adriaan was a Farm Manager with Bartter Enterprises for four years. Adriaan holds a Degree in Agriculture from the University of Orange Free State in South Africa and has extensive farm management experience in the dairy, cattle, sheep and crop industries.

Daryl Winter, National Manager – Almonds

Daryl joined RFM as General Manager of Horticulture in October 2005. Daryl's role includes leadership and overall management of horticultural developments at Hillston in New South Wales.

From the success of his family business, Winter Orchards Pty Ltd, Daryl brings to RFM a wealth of horticultural experience. This includes knowledge of cultivation processes, plant nutrition, micro irrigation systems, soil maintenance and pest and disease management. In 1996 Daryl was influential in the establishment of Stone Fruit Packing Pty Ltd, a specialist fruit packing and delivery company employing up to 50 staff, and was appointed General Manager. In 2002 Daryl assisted in the establishment of OzTaste Pty Ltd, a specialist stone and pome fruit marketing company of which he was a director until 2007.

Matthew Mitchell, National Manager – Cotton and
Technical & Operations Manager – Hillston Operations

Matthew is responsible for the leadership and day to day management of RFM's cotton business. Matthew's role includes the farm management, maintaining key relationships with customers and suppliers, financial and budget management, property asset management, compliance control, staff management and promotional activities.

Matthew entered the cotton industry in 1994 after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Agricultural Science. Matthew joined RFM in August 2003 after almost ten years with Twynam.

James Powell, National Sales Manager

James Powell rejoined Rural Funds Management in September 2010 after working previously with RFM as a Business Development Manager from July 2006 through to July 2008.

James is responsible for overseeing RFM's Sales and Distribution activities, along with developing and structuring key relationships in order to increase the awareness of RFM's investment opportunities. James is part of the product development division responsible for the design and development of new products.

Prior to his career in funds management, James spent seven years in the financial planning industry as a Paraplanner and Adviser working in both national and boutique dealer groups.

James holds a Masters of Personal Financial Planning (USQ), a Diploma of Financial Planning (Deakin) and is studying his Masters of Business Administration (RMIT).

Kristina Smith, Manager – Human Resources & Corporate Services

Kristina joined RFM in March 2006. She holds a Bachelor of Business with major studies in Human Resource Management and minor studies in Administrative Management. Kristina is a Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute (MAHRI).

Kristina provides strategic and operational human resources advice to all RFM management, sets HR policy and procedures, oversees performance management processes, recruitment, induction, payroll, annual salary reviews, training, HSE and HR administration. Kristina regularly visits RFM's regional locations liaising with management and staff on human resources related strategy and issues. Kristina also manages a team of staff providing a range of corporate services including compliance, IT systems support and development, insurance, facilities management and administration.

Daniel Edwards, Business Manager – RBK, DAF, Almonds & LT

Daniel joined RFM in January 2005 and has over ten years of experience in the financial planning and funds management industry, including four years as a Financial Planner.

Daniel is a member of the RFM Unit Pricing Committee and various RFM Due Diligence Committees for the development of new projects and Product Disclosure Statements. Daniel has been closely involved in fund and asset development projects, including the development of almond orchards and chicken infrastructure projects.

Daniel is the Business Manager of RFM RiverBank, RFM Diversified Agricultural Fund, the 2006 Almond Project, the 2007 and 2008 Almond Projects, and the RFM Land Trust. Daniel is responsible for the financial analysis, operational support, and day-to-day funds management of these entities.

Daniel holds a Bachelor of Business (Agricultural Commerce) from The University of Sydney and a Diploma of Financial Planning from Deakin University. 

Angela Wisbey, Manager – Legal and Investment Services

Angela joined RFM in September 2010. Angela holds a Bachelor of Laws and Masters in Legal Practice from the Australian National University. Angela is a current member of the ACT Law Society. Prior to her employment with RFM Angela had over 10 years’ experience in the legal profession, specialising in commercial law.

Angela is responsible for providing legal advice for RFM on all commercial matters and manages the internal and external legal team for RFM.  Angela has extensive experience in commercial transactions, including corporate restructures, property transactions, implementing unit trusts and insolvency matters.  Additionally, Angela has had exposure to banking institutions providing advice on complex company arrangements for lending and recovery purposes and has managed many significant property and corporate transactions.

Angela also leads a team that is responsible for the development of RFM’s new and existing products and manages the external communications to RFM investors and advisers, including the provision of Offer documents and marketing materials. Angela assists and advises RFM on meeting its continuous disclosure obligations, and provides effective strategic planning for business unit management. Angela oversees the Client Services team and unit registry ensuring RFM maintains a high level of customer service and regulatory compliance. In addition, Angela is a member of the RFM Unit Pricing Committee and various Due Diligence Committees for the issue of fund Product Disclosure Statements.

David Thomson, Business Manager - CIF, AWF, ACF, SBK, LFL

David has worked in the financial services industry for over 19 years with 10 years as a Business Banking Manager with a major Australian bank.  David holds a Bachelor of Business (Banking & Finance) from Charles Sturt University.

David joined RFM in May 2007 and has been involved in a wide range of areas including financial analysis of new acquisitions and existing assets, project and asset management support to the National Managers; and managing the banking and insurance requirements of RFM.

David is the Business Manager of RFM Chicken Income Fund, RFM Australian Wine Fund, RFM Australian Cotton Fund, RFM StockBank and Lachlan Farming Limited. David is responsible for the financial analysis, operational support, and day-to-day funds management of these entities.