Case Studies

Food Frontier

Search for the critical role of Head of Industry Engagement and create a ‘Partner In People’ collaboration

Food Frontier’s Founder, Thomas King and CEO, Jane Sydenham-Clarke, have been named by The Australian in The List: Top 100 Innovators 2022. The List showcases the founders, entrepreneurs and investors building the future of Australia’s economy, with editor David Swan explaining that those included in the Top 100 Innovators “are all helping drive Australia forward and inspiring the rest of the nation to achieve continued success.”

Food Frontier is a not-for-profit (NFP) independent think-tank researching plant-based, precision fermentation and cultivated meat, furthering education and understanding of these emerging protein industries’ economic, environmental and public health benefits.

Inclusion in ‘The List’ recognises Food Frontier’s work since being established in 2017. Their leaders, Thomas and Jane, are named among talented Australians “the future-makers who are hiring the next generation of talent and building the foundations for what our country can — and should — become”.

Food Frontier

Galvin-Rowley Executive had partnered previously with Jane Sydenham-Clarke when she headed up Skyline Education Foundation. From this foundation, Galvin-Rowley Executive were invited to manage the Search for the critical role of Head of Industry Engagement

Head of Industry Engagement was considered a pivotal role for the business, as the conduit between industry and research, to strengthening the market for alternative proteins (plant-based meat, precision fermentation and cultivated meat innovations) across Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

This role acted as the connector between Food Frontier and a broad range of industry stakeholders, responsible for gathering and applying industry insights to inform the direction and focus of Food Frontier’s work, ensuring the delivery of maximum impact to advance the sector, collaborative opportunities and problem-solving across the supply chain – from research to retail. This enables sector growth and development and ensures Food Frontier remains a valued partner to the industry.

Jennifer Galvin-Rowley and Laura Gaugain partnered with Jane on this key role Search

They identified candidates with a strong understanding of the FMCG industry sector and associated supply chains with the personal and professional skills and interest in transitioning from FMCG into the NFP space.

The search was challenging, exacerbated by being undertaken in a tight job market as the economy emerged from COVID lockdowns. With tenacity, resilience and close communication with Jane and Thomas, the Galvin-Rowley Executive team not only delivered an impressive group of possible candidates but ultimately was delighted to place Susie O’Neill into the role in mid-2022.

The success of this partnership opened the opportunity to amplify further and extend the impact for both organisations. Food Frontiers ‘Partner In People’ Galvin-Rowley Executive has the chance to use their particular skills and talent to help Food Frontier grow its capacity for impact by providing influential People & Talent solutions.

“What a joy it is to engage with Galvin Rowley Executive. Grace, care and expertise are the adjectives that come to mind when I think about Jen and the way she manages her clients and candidates. Above all, I am impressed with Galvin Rowley’s service ethic and ability to astutely find the right match for a win-win outcome. Jen is a delight to work with and is a wonderful representative of your corporate or personal brand. She is trustworthy, generous, unflappable, diligent and savvy and comes with my heartfelt recommendation.”

Jane Sydenham-Clarke, Food Frontier, Chief Executive Officer

What Our Clients Say

I have had the great fortune to partner with Galvin-Rowley Executive for over 15 years. Jen and the team are extremely professional and above all take the time to understand the role requirements to ensure the right candidate is matched. When labour markets are tight, and roles are in high demand Galvin-Rowley Executive always find the right candidate. I really appreciate how they keep me informed of their progress, challenge my thinking and create a collaborative environment. Finding the right candidate is never easy, Jen makes it easy!

Georgegina Poulos

T2, Global Director People

“In 2021, we worked with Jen to recruit the new CEO for Windana – a leading Victorian drug and alcohol recovery service.

She worked closely with us to ensure she had a good understanding of the brief, provided regular progress updates and delivered a strong shortlist from which we were able to select our new CEO. We found Jen’s approach and follow up to be really professional and engaging and we achieved a great outcome.”

Jenny Gillam

Chair Windana - a leading Drug and Alcohol Recovery service.

“Jen is as invested in getting amazing people into T2 as we are. Settling for average is not an option and this comes from her deep understanding of our business and culture and a strong appreciation for the emphasis we place on both capability and fit in equal measure. We are delighted with the great people we have at T2 thanks to Jen – they are most certainly our cup of tea!”

Nicole Sparshott

T2 Tea, Global Chief Executive Officer

I have had the absolute pleasure of partnering with Jen both as a client and candidate and the experience has been seamless & pleasurable on both fronts. Jen sets herself apart from the plethora of recruiters in that she fosters an intricate understanding of her clients vision and culture and weaves this delicately into the people she puts forth. Jen has been a formidable partner in building high functioning and performing teams. Needless to say we thoroughly relish working with her!

Sharon Elding

HR Director , Jungheinrich Australia

“Further to our discussions from time to time, I am writing to express my appreciation more formally to you for so well managing the process for recruitment of our new Executive Director. The process ran seamlessly, and the ultimate appointment of Lynn Haultain was correct as her performance has shown. Thank you. Kind regards.”