Meet the Board: Liz Jackson and Angus Hobson

As the Sheep Sustainability Framework enters its fifth year, two new directors have joined the board – Elizabeth Jackson and Angus Hobson – each bringing a unique skillset to the table.

Meet Elizabeth Jackson

Hailing from Perth, Elizabeth Jackson is an associate professor of supply chain management and logistics at Curtin University.

Although she is internationally recognised in academia, Elizabeth’s journey into agriculture began unexpectedly after struggling in a traditional classroom setting during high school.

“The only university course I was accepted into was agribusiness, and once I started learning about agriculture, I just found something I cared about and understood,” Elizabeth said.

That decision set a course for a distinguished career. Elizabeth now sits on the boards of Sheep Producers Australia, Agribusiness Australia, WA Farmers, and most recently, the Sheep Sustainability Framework (SSF).

Over the years, she’s frequently referenced the SSF in her own work.

“I’m a big fan of what the SSF is doing. I’ve been citing their outcomes in my own research and teaching,” Elizabeth said.

“Colleagues from around the world have called to find out more about what the Sheep Sustainability Framework is, and how Australia developed it.”

Elizabeth is passionate about using data to share the story of the sheep industry.

“I’m a firm believer in the power of data and information, and the SSF data tells a realist and good news story about what is happening in Australia’s sheep industry.

“We want to make sure that no matter who and where you are in the world, when you see Australian sheepmeat, you’re excited.”

Meet Angus Hobson

Equally at home in the boardroom and on the farm, Angus Hobson brings extensive experience to his new role with the SSF.  

Six years ago, Angus returned to the family farm as a sixth-generation sheep and cattle producer. Prior to that, he held roles at the Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC), Monaro Farming Systems, and the Southern Australia Livestock Research Council. He also serves as a director of WoolProducers Australia.

During his time at RMAC, Angus was involved in the development of the SSF’s beef counterpart, the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework.

He believes the industry-led nature of these frameworks is key to their success.

“Whenever you get a chance for the industry to develop these types of frameworks, it removes a lot of the confusion that comes with similar concepts developed by private enterprise,” Angus said.  

“In some other sectors, there are a myriad of frameworks defining sustainability, and I think that causes a lot of confusion.

“One of my hopes is that that these industry-led frameworks continue to raise the standard for reporting sustainability across the industry.”