Australia's largest food relief agency Foodbank Australia has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Jason Hincks as Chief Executive Officer effective 28 April 2014.
Hincks joins Foodbank Australia from the highly successful men's health charity Movember, where he was Chief Operating Officer. Prior to moving into the not-for-profit space, he developed his marketing, management and strategic skills in organisations both in Australia and the United States. He holds a Bachelor of Business and an MBA, with a speciality in International Business and Strategy.
"We are seeing the number of food insecure people in Australia increase at an alarming rate," said Enzo Allara, Foodbank Australia's Chairman. "In response we've set ourselves a target of doubling our volumes just as traditional food rescue channels are plateauing," he said.
"We've developed a strategy to address this and we're well placed for Jason to bring to bear his wealth of experience in the area of rapid growth management and fundraising coming, as he does, from an organisation that in 10 years has spread to 21 countries and raised $576 million in aid of men's health programs," Mr Allara said.
"Foodbank is making a real difference in the lives of the millions of Australians who are doing it tough," said Mr Hincks. "I'm honoured to be given the opportunity to work with the passionate people in this organisation to build on its incredible success and lead Foodbank Australia into an exciting new phase," he said.
Mr Hincks will replace outgoing CEO, John Webster, who is retiring after five years in the role.
"Under John's stewardship we've achieved unprecedented growth," Mr Allara said. "John has worked tirelessly to increase Foodbank's volumes and enhance our capability to deliver the key staple foods that are the lifeblood of our supply to charities. His legacy will underpin our future expansion as we strive to ensure that no Australian in crisis goes hungry," he said.
"On behalf of the Foodbank Australia Board and I'm sure our many partners, I would like to thank John Webster for his outstanding contribution and wish him well in his retirement," Mr Allara said.
Foodbank is the largest food relief charity in Australia providing food for 107,000 meals a day to people in hardship.
Farmers, manufacturers and retailers donate food and groceries including stock that is surplus to need, close to expiry date or out of specification. In addition Foodbank partners with companies to manufacture essential staple products.
The food goes to over 2,500 charities and community groups and 832 schools who use it to provide home hampers and emergency relief packages as well as meals in hostels, shelters, drop-in centres and schools. Foodbank's service means there is one less thing for hard-working charities to worry about so they can concentrate on vital services to get vulnerable people back on their feet.
Foodbank Australia said, for a wide variety of reasons, from personal crisis to natural disasters, two million Australians experience food insecurity at some time every year. One million of those going without are children.
