Key people
David MacLennan
Chairman
B.Sc. UNSW (Chemistry, Biochemistry); M.Sc. UNSW (Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering)); Ph.D. London (Microbiology); MRACI, C.Chem., MAIFST, AMASVO.
David has worked in the areas of biotechnology, fermentation and agriproduct/food processing chemistry and engineering for over 30 years. After establishing and managing the Biotechnology Research Department at ICI Agricultural Division, Teesside, UK, which developed, patented and commercialized one of the world's largest fermentation processes, he was appointed Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Sydney. In 1977 David established Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd, which was Australia's first, and for over 20 years largest private sector biotechnology company, and was Chairman and Managing Director until 1982.
In 1985 David co-founded Agritechnology Pty Ltd with Mary MacLennan, is Chairman and was Managing Director until 2006. The Company or its principals have founded several new R&D/technology-based companies in which David was Chairman/CEO in their formative years. David was a co-founder with Don MacLennan of Australian Functional Foods Pty Ltd. David has been a Director of the Australian Co-operative Research Centre for Aquaculture, a consultant in biotechnology and waste treatment to the United Nations and multinational corporations on various occasions, a member of the NSW CSIRO Advisory Committee, and a member of the Selection Committee for the Australian Special Rural Research Council. He has some 25 publications and patents, and is a Chartered Chemist (Royal Australian Chemical Institute).
Don MacLennan
Managing Director
Master of Science & Technology Commercialisation, Adelaide University;
Bachelor of Management (Orange Agricultural College, University of Sydney);
Adv.Dip. Farm Management (Orange Agricultural College, University of Sydney);
Viticulture Certificates 1-4 (Orange TAFE College).
Don was a co-founder of Australian Functional Foods Pty Ltd.
He has a broad range of experience acquired from senior technical and management roles in a wide variety of food-related projects including project management of several major R&D projects: an intensive oyster hatchery development programme; design construction and management of a feed production facility for novel aquaculture feeds; viticulture establishment, winery design and construction; winemaking; and most recently development of novel fermentation-based food and biofuel processes which are currently being commercialised.
Don is also Managing Director of Agritechnology Pty Ltd, and owns and operates a small vineyard and winery in the Orange region.
Anna Graham
Manager, Food Science
Ph.D., Food Science University of Auckland, M.Sc. Food Science, University of Auckland, B.Sc. Biochemistry, University of Auckland, Diploma of Teaching, College of Education, Auckland.
Prior to joining Agritechnology/AFF Anna was R&D Manager for major New Zealand viticulture company, Corbans Viticulture Ltd, where she was responsible for forward planning of R&D; preparation of protocols and training of staff for commercial application of R&D results; the development of collaborative research partnerships with universities and Government research institutes, and the instigation of zero carbon programmes and sustainable viticulture practices.
Anna leads AFF’s Food Science programme on a range of novel functional /nutraceutical food products, including health and nutrition components and food flavours, based on agriculturally derived raw materials. She works closely with the Pilot Plant development team to provide effective scale up of laboratory results, ensuring compliance with Australian food manufacturing regulations including the Australian & New Zealand Food Standards Code, HACCP, GMP and OH&S guidelines, quality assurance programmes and Halal and Kosher certification.
Jason Hopcraft
Manager, Operations
B.Sc. (Hons) University of Newcastle
Jason has a background in industrial process design, construction and operation, with specialised skills and experience in processing of agriculturally derived raw materials, fermentation (batch and continuous), downstream processing of premium food products, as well as feed and biofuels products, and process costing and economic evaluation. He has designed, built and optimised novel processing plant for several new products including AFF’s new process to produce Super Premium Cherry Crush and other premium functional and nutraceutical products.
Jason also has wide experience and skills in horticulture, hydroponics, viticulture and winemaking.
Jason is responsible for all AFF’s food processing operations, including the scale up of new laboratory developed processes, and ensuring maintenance of HACCP and GMP approved practices.
