Governance
Our Board
AIA is governed by an independent, skills-based Board. The Board sets the direction and objectives for AIA and ensures strong corporate governance practices and high standards of behaviour.
The Board provides oversight of the implementation of strategic objectives and the instilling of our company values.
Mr Ian Halliday
MAICDChair
Ian is an experienced Director, Managing Director, and CEO with a track record of delivering sustained growth and performance in large, complex organisations.
He has experience operating in domestic, mature and emerging international markets, and across infrastructure, risk management, government relations and regulation, governance, innovation, manufacturing, B2B marketing, purchasing and supply chain management.
He was formerly the Australian Consul-General Dubai & Northern Emirates, UAE & General Manager, Australian Trade & Investment Commission – Middle East, Africa & Pakistan.
Ian's previous roles include Managing Director of Dairy Australia and CEO of KR Castlemaine Foods.
During his time at Dairy Australia, Ian was instrumental in driving the development of the Australian Dairy Industry Sustainability framework.
Mr Andrew Baxter
B.BUS (MKTG) FAMI CPM FAICDDeputy Chair
Andrew is an experienced business, marketing and communications professional who has worked with large companies, brands and government bodies in advisory and executive capacities.
Andrew is Chair of Australian Pork Limited, is the Deputy Chair of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and is a Non-Executive Director of GrowthOps, Foresters Financial, Nettlefold, Hypetap, Neeon, OzHarvest and The Queen’s Fund.
He is also a Senior Advisor at BGH Capital and an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at the University of Sydney.
Andrew was previously the Senior Advisor to KPMG’s Customer, Brand and Marketing Advisory business, and prior to this, he successfully led major professional services firms for over a decade — as the CEO of two of the country’s largest communications agencies, Publicis and Ogilvy, where he was a trusted counsel to many of Australia’s most iconic brands, as well as State and Federal Governments.
Previous Board roles include at the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation (Chair), Deakin Business School (Chair), University of Sydney Business School, Catch Group, NBL, Tjapukai (Chair), The Song Room (Chair), Melbourne Aces (Chair), CC Media and the Communications Council.
He is a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Monash University.
Ms Libby Roy
BAppSc (OT), MBA, GAICDNon-Executive Director
Libby is a non-executive Director with more than 25 years’ experience across financial services, telecommunications, technology and travel.
Libby is a Non-Executive Director (NED) of AIA and also holds current NED roles with Titles Queensland, AZ NGA and an advisory board role with Lineaire Partners.
She has over 25 years of experience in executive and advisory roles across the financial services, telecommunications, technology, and travel industries.
Most recently, Libby served on the board of Bravura Solutions, initially as a Non-Executive Director and subsequently as the Managing Director (MD). Under Libby’s leadership, Bravura recapitalised the business and delivered the turn-around strategy. Prior, as MD of Optus Business, she was responsible for revitalising the business division and increasing market share during COVID. Additionally, during her tenure at PayPal ANZ, Libby led the team responsible for doubling the size of the business and diversifying revenue streams. She has also held senior roles at American Express, AMP, AXA and Booz Allen.
The key to Libby’s success has been her ability to leverage technology in highly regulated industries across both local and international markets.
In 2018 Libby set up the PayPal Giving Fund in Australia to facilitate charity in the digital age and has had active roles in supporting joint industry and government initiatives to develop STEM capability and the Fintech industry in Australia.
Libby holds an MBA from the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor of Applied Science from Curtin University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Libby is also a member of Chief Executive Women and International Women’s Federation and looks to support other women in managing their careers successfully.
Ms Catherine Cooper
LLB, GDLP, FAICDNon-Executive Director
Catherine is a seasoned non-executive director with deep cross-sector expertise across agribusiness, rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs), Collaborative Research Centres, regulatory bodies and industry organisations.
Catherine Cooper is an experienced non-executive director operating at the intersection of industry, research, regulation and investment across Australia’s agribusiness innovation system.
She has held board roles across multiple Research and Development Corporations, including Wine Australia and Australian Eggs, and currently serves on the boards of Grains Australia Limited, RACE for 2030 CRC and the Australian Composite Manufacturing CRC. She is also Chair of the Environmental Protection Authority of South Australia, bringing regulatory oversight experience in sustainability, risk and responsible growth. She is a former Deputy Chair of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, the former Chair of the inaugural Fisheries Council SA and a past Chair of the Dairy Regulator SA.
Catherine’s portfolio spans more than fifty organisations across agribusiness, energy transition and industry bodies, including leadership roles in growth orientated private agribusiness companies. This cross-sector experience enables her to integrate strategy across RDCs, CRCs, industry organisations and government, aligning research priorities with commercial pathways and investment readiness.
With an executive background at Elders and Foster’s Brewing Group, she brings practical expertise in trade, market access and international growth. Catherine is focused on strengthening collaboration, attracting co-investment and ensuring R&D delivers scalable outcomes that enhance productivity, resilience and global competitiveness for Australian agriculture.
Mr Ron Gauci
GAICDNon-Executive Director
Ron is an experienced company director and executive with more than 30 years’ leadership experience across technology, business, education and sport.
Ron is an experienced company director and executive with over 30 years’ experience in executive leadership, governance, strategy, and organisational transformation across the business, technology, education, and sport sectors.
He is currently Managing Director of AusMuse, a Group Chair in the Vistage Australia executive program, a non-executive director at Australian Sports Technologies Network as well as a Senior Advisor with 24 Hour Business Plan.
His executive career includes Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director roles at the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), Federation Square, Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club, and Melbourne Polytechnic.
Ron has also held senior leadership positions with multinational organisations including Telstra, IBM, Microsoft, and Verizon.
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