Local vies for wool board seat

WA producer John Hassell is one of eight candidates for the upcoming Australian Wool Innovation board election.

The AWI constitution stipulates at least a third of the board, made up of seven members, must retire their position every two years.

Incumbent AWI directors Meredith Sheil and George Falkiner will retire and re-stand for election at the 2013 annual general meeting, while director Roger Fletcher will not re-stand after serving on the board since 2007.

AWI chairman Wal Merriman paid tribute to Mr Fletcher saying he had "brought significant experience, insight, business acumen and practical common sense" to the AWI board over the past six years.

"This has assisted with the board's focus on commercial research and efficiencies in operations which have been of great benefit to woolgrowers in Australia, and the board wishes Mr Fletcher well in his future endeavours," he said.

Six outside board nominees have achieved the necessary 100 valid shareholder signatures as verified by share registry Link Market Services and will stand as candidates for the 2013 AWI board election.

Other candidates include Paul Cocking, NSW, Jock MacRae, Victoria, James Morgan, SA, Martin Oppenheimer, NSW, and Will Roberts, Queensland.