Chicken Meat
Chicken Meat Advisory Panel
Katherine Balding (Chair)
Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd
Katherine has over 20 years’ professional experience in the chicken meat industry and her career has spanned Technical Director, National Nutrition Manager, Nutritionist, Quality Control Manager and Laboratory Manager with Ingham’s, an Australia/NZ integrated poultry producer. Katherine recently joined Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd , Australia’s largest poultry integrator. Katherine has a Bachelor of Science, Food Science and Technology (Honours) from the University of New South Wales.
Susan Klein (Deputy Chair)
Ingham’s
Susan is the National Technical Services Manager for Ingham’s Enterprises. Susan commenced her career with Ingham’s as a trainee microbiologist in 1995, after completing a Bachelor of Science majoring in Microbiology and Biochemistry at the University of Queensland. Susan’s portfolio includes food safety, quality and animal welfare systems across primary processing, further processing, supply and logistics, livestock, feedmilling and R&D, and she is a technical assessor for the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).
Brian Astridge
TUROSI Food Solutions Group
Brian is an industry leader in, food safety, animal health and welfare, innovation, environment and sustainability. Brian is a member of the TUROSI Executive Team. He has been involved heavily in poultry industry initiatives including being the representative for the NZ Food Research Science Centre. Prior to this, Brian was Operations manager for the Food Innovation Centre in NZ. He has significant international experience on issues relating to trade in food and animal products holding diplomatic roles including a posting to Brussels. Brian has a Bachelor in Food Technology (BTech) and a Post graduate Diploma in Business and Administration.
Karen Gurney
Redsun Nutrition Pty Ltd
Karen is the Nutritionist and Director of Redsun Nutrition, with a career spanning over 20 years in poultry nutrition for Australia’s meat and layer industries. She has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Animal Production) from the University of Sydney, specialising in poultry through earlier roles before building her consultancy. Her experience includes working with international producers and promoting quality assurance to navigate supply chain and diplomacy for welfare-first results. Karen was a member of the Executive Team for the Poultry Information Exchange, and is driven to generate results by innovation, through the sharing of information and encouragement of future talent pipeline.
Richard Shephard
Herd Health Pty Ltd
Richard is a veterinary epidemiologist and farming systems scientist with over 25 years experience in animal production in Australia and internationally. He has veterinary and masters degrees in veterinary science and a PhD on disease surveillance. Richard founded Herd Health Pty Ltd in the late 1990s offering consultancy in cattle medicine, epidemiology, farm economics, statistics and data mining, animal welfare and climate adaptation. He has a special interest in measuring, analysing and interpreting data from complex farming and ecological systems and in the practical application of technology into farming systems.
Ashley Etherington
ProTen
Ashley is currently Development Manager at Proten Pty Ltd, the largest contractor grower of broiler chickens in Australia. Over his 36 year career in the chicken meat industry Ashley has held a variety of Technical, General Manager and Director roles in integrated poultry meat processor organisations, and served on the NSW Poultry Meat Industry Committee prior to deregulation of the industry. Ashley is a registered veterinarian and has a Masters degree in Veterinary Public Health Management and a Masters of Business Administration. Ashley’s interests lie in animal health and welfare, production efficiency and sustainability.
Julia Seddon
Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd
Julia Seddon is the Group Sustainability and ESG Manager at Baiada Poultry Pty Limited and has over 20 years’ experience across sustainability, environmental management and corporate affairs within the Australian chicken meat industry. Her career spans senior roles in poultry production, sustainability consulting and executive leadership, with a strong focus on climate risk, water stewardship and ESG strategy. Julia brings deep experience in governance and stakeholder engagement, translating complex sustainability challenges into practical, industry‑relevant outcomes that support the long‑term resilience of the chicken meat industry.
Andrew Foley
Inghams Enterprises Pty Ltd
Andrew Foley is the National Primary Processing Quality Manager at Ingham’s Group Limited, with more than 20 years’ experience across the Australian chicken meat industry. He has led food safety and quality management systems across primary processing operations and brings deep expertise in regulatory compliance, risk management and continuous improvement. Andrew has overseen the implementation of regulatory changes and contributed to industry‑wide RD&E projects and research steering committees focused on food safety, shelf life and future market insights. He is committed to supporting practical, industry‑focused RD&E outcomes.