Wool's top man is leaving.
Australian Wool Innovation chief executive Craig Welsh has joined the growing list of those packing their boxes.
His departure follows the redundancies of corporate affairs manager Matt Flugge, the manager of ethical production and trade, Dr Norm Blackman, and the manager of industry relations, Danny Pagoda, which were announced last week.
In a very brief statement, AWI said Mr Welsh had left "with the support of the board", but it is unclear whether it was his decision given he still had about a year left in his contract.
His departure leaves open the opportunity to re-employ former Woolmark general manager Brenda McGahan.
New AWI chairman Wal Merriman thanked Mr Welsh for integrating The Woolmark Company into AWI, while Mr Welsh thanked the chairman, the board and AWI staff for the "opportunity to be part of the wool industry through these exciting and challenging times".
Mr Welsh will be remembered for restructuring AWI towards a business focus, having overseen the transition of AWI from principally a research body to a marketing and development organisation.
He was an advocate for "business to business" wool activity through "knowledge, innovation and marketing".
"I have been extremely pleased to have worked in such a dynamic industry and to manage the integration of the Woolmark into a new business model. This has been a very challenging and rewarding experience," he said.
Despite departing AWI and quite probably the wool industry, Mr Welsh said the fibre had a strong future and was optimistic about the company’s role in the wool industry.
WoolProducers Australia executive director Greg Weller said it was not up to his organisation to comment on Mr Welsh as growers elected the board and the board made these decisions.
"What I will say is that we liked the business focus Mr Welsh put in place during his time and the aim to put figures on targets for increased wool sales because we just want to see more wool sold," Mr Weller said.
"I hope the new board don't throw out the old strategic plan and change for changes sake."
Australian Woolgrowers Association president Martin Oppenheimer also praised Mr Welsh.
"He was there to do a job, to transform the company and he has done that," Mr Oppenheimer said.
"He has put in place systems and a strategy to increase the marketing of the product and now it is time to put someone there with real marketing knowledge, someone in touch with consumer and retailer sentiment.
"I and many woolgrowers would love to see Brenda McGahan or someone like her at the top, it would be an enormous boost in confidence.
"She has the ability, skills and passion to turn wool around and being a woman she naturally understands the market segment where we have dropped the ball; womenswear."
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