Andrew Henderson to Lead Red Meat Advisory Council
The policy specialist and producer will begin his term as independent chair on 1 November 2026.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in People
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The Red Meat Advisory Council has appointed Andrew Henderson as its next independent chair. He is set to officially assume the leadership role on 1 November 2026.
Why it matters
The appointment marks a leadership transition for the organisation following a selection process that evaluated candidates on their background in governance, policy, supply chains, and agriculture.
The appointment concludes the six-year tenure of John McKillop, who served as chair from 2020 to 2026.
The players
Andrew Henderson
He is a producer, policy specialist, and senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute who serves as a director for Lambex.
John McKillop
He is the outgoing chair of the Red Meat Advisory Council who completed a six-year tenure leading the organisation.
Red Meat Advisory Council
This organisation serves as the primary body for red meat industry policy and governance across Australia.
Sheep Producers Australia
This national organisation represents the interests of the Australian sheep meat and wool industries.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute
This independent, non-partisan think tank provides expert policy advice and analysis to the Australian government.
The details
Andrew Henderson, a producer and policy expert, comes to the role with experience as a director of Lambex and a board member for Sheep Producers Australia. He also currently serves as a senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute based in Canberra.
Timeline
John McKillop served as chair from 2020 to 2026.
Andrew Henderson assumes the role of RMAC Chair on 1 November 2026.
Market Landscape
The appointment concludes the 2020-2026 Red Meat Advisory Council leadership cycle, representing a strategic transition for the national industry body. This move positions the organisation to address evolving agricultural policy demands under new guidance.
Industry stakeholders and producers may see shifts in policy advocacy priorities once the new chair takes office in November. The leadership change will likely influence how the council interacts with Canberra on critical supply chain and governance issues.
The takeaway
The appointment highlights the industry's continued emphasis on integrating technical policy expertise into its governance structures. Stakeholders should monitor upcoming council communications to understand how this shift will influence future regulatory engagement.
What happens next
Andrew Henderson will officially take office as the independent chair of the Red Meat Advisory Council on 1 November 2026.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership and appointments, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Beef Central.
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