Harvest Road appoints CEO

Andrew Forrest’s Harvest Road has appointed former Mrs Mac’s pies boss Paul Slaughter to lead the agribusiness group as it plans for expansion.

Mr Slaughter will join Harvest Road Group as chief executive, after Greg Harvey left the Tattarang-owned business in October.

Harvest Road’s brands include Harvey Beef – the state’s largest beef processor, which owns a processing facility in Harvey – and its new aquaculture brand, Leeuwin Coast.

Leeuwin sells rock oysters, Akoya and mussels.

Harvest Road earlier this year acquired oyster farm Ocean Foods International, in Albany, where it plans to build a new aquaculture base.

The business is also looking to grow its WA food brands both domestically and internationally.

Tattarang said Mr Slaughter’s 25 years of experience in business growth and brand development would help Harvest Road gain new customers.

“He brings considerable knowledge across food and retail supply chains and shares our vision to continue to grow Harvest Road as a global market-leader and sustainable producer which honours Western Australian fine foods,” Tattarang chief executive Andrew Hagger said.

Mr Slaughter is the present CEO of Mrs Mac’s in Australia and New Zealand, having served in the role since 2015.

Before that, he was a director and general manager at Metcash, and national business manager at both Woolworths and Big W.

Mr Slaughter said it was a privilege to join Harvest Road.

“It is a great opportunity to build on its incredible legacy and commitment to showcasing Western Australia’s exceptional produce to the rest of the country and the world,” he said.

“We have an opportunity to now expand Harvest Road’s place at the heart of Western Australia’s growing international reputation.”