GROWING up on a cattle property outside Tumut, Kate Brabin has long wanted consumers to know about the quality beef produced in Australia.
The recently appointed chief executive officer of Certified Australian Angus Beef (CAAB) says as a youngster she was encouraged to be whatever she wanted to be, but stuck with beef.
“I had a passion for it, I loved everything about the grassroots of the beef industry and wanted to carve out a career in it,” she said.
Mrs Brabin has been part of the team at CAAB since 2007, working successively on the quality control programs as supply relationships manager.
During her seven years working with CAAB, Mrs Brabin managed the supply chain and breed verification programs, including the breed verification program for McDonalds Australia.
“I have been managing both brand support and marketing programs for CAAB and Angus Pure, and watching those brands grow and develop to become household names has been amazing – it changes every day which makes you want to stick around,” she said.
After achieving a Diploma of Agribusiness, Bachelor of Systems Agriculture and Master of Education, Mrs Brabin began her career with Meat and Livestock Australia.
Always looking to connect the producer and consumer, she worked within Meat Standards Australia (MSA) on meat quality standards.
Mrs Brabin said the work being done at MSA continues to play an important role in getting the message out about beef.
“The uptake of MSA has been fantastic in its ensuring quality to the consumer and our brands, CAAB and Angus, are underpinned by that,” she said.
After leaving MSA, Mrs Brabin went on to start her own business providing grading services to small scale processors as well as quality assurance system support.
Within CAAB, her focus had been making Australian Angus producers beef more valuable.
She is now based on the family farm at Eurongilly with her husband Angus and two children Grace and Harriet.
Mrs Brabin will replace outgoing chief Phil Morley as of October 1 and for the interim it is business as usual.
“I have been working within the supply chain for 15 years – I know the people, I know the issues they have and it is important I have a support network there that can bring a lot to the table,” Mrs Brabin said.
With her move to CEO, CAAB will now be advertising for a quality assurance co-ordinator.
All inquiries can be directed to Kate Brabin on 0418 296 805 or Email her here.
Jamie-Lee Oldfield
Livestock editor for The Land.
Livestock editor for The Land.
