CHAIRMAN of BlueScope Steel and a Director of Djerriwarrh Investments, Graham Kraehe is joining the Advisory Board of one of the world’s largest conservation organisations, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Australia.
Mr Kraehe’s executive career spanned 30 years as CEO of a number of businesses in the diversified industrial and wine sectors including Pacific BBA and Southcorp. In these roles he obtained extensive experience in manufacturing management and in companies with substantial, geographically diverse, industrial operations.
Mr Kraehe has previously held the positions of Chairman of Brambles, Chairman of National Australia Bank, and a Director of News Corporation and the Reserve Bank of Australia. He has had many business and community roles including national President of the Australian Industry Group and Chairman of the Future Directions Forum. In December, 2013 he was appointed to the Australian Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council.
As well as his extensive business experience, Mr Kraehe also has a keen interest in the environment. This was recognised in 2003 when he was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2003 for services to industry and the environment. He received the award for ‘service to Australian corporate life as a leader in the development of the manufacturing, financial and wine sectors, the expansion of export markets, the fostering of trade relations, and recognition of industry responsibilities to employees, the natural
environment and the community.’
Water has long been a passion of Mr Kraehe’s and it was this passion that lead to him receiving an AO not only for services to industry but also for the environment. At the time, Mr Kraehe was CEOof diversified Industrial Company Southcorp, also Australia’s largest wine producer, which started a major sponsorship for the Australian Conservation Foundation to undertake water conservation advocacy and research. At the same time the company actively encouraged its grape growers to adopt the most efficient irrigation practices.
Mr Kraehe was first introduced to The Nature Conservancy around seven years ago when he was invited to attend a series of functions that profiled the organisation. This engagement then expanded to a couple of field trips to The Nature Conservancy project areas. The first was to the spectacular Gondwana Link in Western Australia and then to Ned’s Corner in North West Victoria. Mr Kraehe was impressed by both these experiences because they exposed him to The Nature Conservancy’s methodology of working collaboratively with different partners to achieve work at scale.
“I appreciated the business model The Nature Conservancy uses, engaging and coordinating different groups working together such as other conservation organisations, governments and corporates to achieve the mutual benefit of conserving Australia’s lands and waters.”
The move to join The Nature Conservancy’s Advisory Board came following Mr Kraehe’s retirement from the Brambles Chairmanship in November last year. “I’m moving into a different phase of my career. I’ve always regarded The Nature Conservancy as an excellent organisation who are undertaking work I’m passionate about. I hope I can help to raise the awareness about the important work they’re doing so they can realise some of their next objectives.”
Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Australia Program, Rich Gilmore, is really pleased that Mr Kraehe is joining The Nature Conservancy’s board, “Graham’s exceptional business acumen and passion for nature makes him the ideal addition to our board.”
Mr Kraehe will attend his first Board meeting on February 24, 2015.
Source: www.natureaustralia.org.au
