The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC), the leading representative body for supermarket suppliers, has abruptly parted ways with its Chief Executive, Tanya Barden, effective immediately.
The sudden nature of her departure has sparked speculation, though it is believed tensions had been brewing between Ms Barden and the AFGC board, which comprises senior executives from major food and grocery manufacturers. While it is understood that she had initially planned to leave in the new year, her exit was ultimately expedited.
Her departure leaves a significant leadership gap at a pivotal moment for the $130 billion food and grocery manufacturing sector. With regulatory scrutiny from bodies such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) intensifying—particularly regarding supermarket practices and their treatment of suppliers—this transition comes at a critical time.
When approached by The Australian, Ms Barden declined to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding her exit, stating only: “It was a mutual separation agreement with the board and I have no further comment.”
Notably, the AFGC has yet to issue an official statement to the public regarding her sudden resignation, despite her instrumental role in advocating for suppliers and engaging with the federal government and parliamentary inquiries on supermarket practices and pricing policies. Ms Barden was at the forefront of defending grocery suppliers against mounting pressures from powerful supermarket chains and rising cost-of-living concerns.
However, in a communication to AFGC members obtained by The Australian, AFGC Chair Anthony Holme acknowledged Ms Barden’s departure, describing it as the outcome of “thoughtful consideration” and a “mutually agreed separation.”
“Tanya has been a dedicated and highly effective advocate for our industry, demonstrating deep expertise on the key challenges facing our members,” Mr Holme stated. “Over her 12-year tenure, including more than seven years as CEO, she played a crucial role in navigating the sector through the complexities of the pandemic, shaping the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, and highlighting the industry’s economic significance.”
He went on to express gratitude for Ms Barden’s contributions, noting that the AFGC’s Chief Operating Officer, Colm Maguire, will step in as interim CEO while a permanent successor is sought. “The board remains committed to the future success of the AFGC and will support Colm and the team to maintain stability and progress on our strategic priorities,” he added.
Ms Barden has been a staunch advocate for the food and grocery manufacturing sector, often clashing with supermarket giants such as Woolworths and Coles over supplier relations and pricing strategies. Her tenure saw heightened tensions, particularly as the ACCC launched legal action against both supermarket chains over allegations of misleading discounting practices.
In addition to confronting the supermarkets, Ms Barden made headlines when she publicly supported Woolworths executive Amanda Bardwell in a bitter dispute with supermarket unions. As industrial action threatened to leave shelves empty in the run-up to Christmas, Ms Barden reportedly offered to bypass striking workers and facilitate direct deliveries to storretaes to mitigate disruptions.
She also played a key role in presenting industry concerns to the ACCC’s supermarket inquiry, highlighting the increasing cost pressures facing food manufacturers. Despite a slight easing in some costs—such as commodities, energy, and shipping—Ms Barden stressed that prices remained above pre-pandemic levels, with other expenses continuing to rise. “Manufacturers in Australia are facing tougher conditions than ever before,” she warned in November. “The harsh reality is that soaring production costs are driving supply-side inflation, necessitating urgent supply-side solutions.”
As the AFGC moves forward under interim leadership, the industry will be watching closely to see how the organisation navigates the shifting regulatory and economic landscape in the months ahead.
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