Jim Geltch AM, 1986 Australian Nuffield Scholar and Chief Executive Officer of Nuffield International, has formally retired, effective April 1 2020.
Mr Geltch has served in this current role since 2016, and prior to that, served as CEO of Nuffield Australia, a position he held from November 2005.
During his tenure at Nuffield International, his remit was to expand the scholarship program beyond the current seven Nuffield countries. This meant identifying potential investors and candidates for the program around the world, as well as managing the application process, selections and international study program for Nuffield International Scholars.
Since 2016, 22 scholarships have been awarded through Nuffield International, representing countries including Belgium, Brazil, Chile, the United States and South Africa. This year, Nuffield International has also awarded its first scholarship to a scholar in Japan.
Chair of Nuffield International Andrew Fowler, 2000 Scholar from Western Australia, thanked Jim for his unwavering dedication and passion for Nuffield.
"Jim epitomises what Nuffield stands for, with a passion, work ethic and determination to see this organisation develop to offer even more young agriculturalists the opportunity to travel the world studying a topic of relevance to their industry," he said.
"He has always been driven to develop and inspire leadership in individuals in agriculture and sees Nuffield as a highly regarded network of leaders whose insight is sought around the world".
"He leaves an indelible impact on all Nuffield Scholars he has fostered over the past 15 years".
A farmer and Nuffield Scholar himself, Mr Geltch simultaneously operates, with his sons, a farming operation in Victoria. He undertook his scholarship in 1986 to explore farmer education, advances in irrigation technology and computer-based crop modelling in Europe and Israel.
Mr Geltch was also awarded an Order of Australia (AM) in 2001 for service to primary industry in the field of irrigated agriculture and promotion of agricultural research and education. In 2018, he was also awarded the 'Rabobank Leadership Award', recognising the "fundamentally important" role he has played developing upcoming leadership in the Australian and New Zealand food, beverage and agribusiness sectors.
He is married to Helen and together they have four sons; Mark, Paul, Neil and David.
Nuffield International can announce that 2013 Scholar and CEO of Nuffield Australia, Jodie Redcliffe, has been appointed Interim CEO of Nuffield International, with support from UK Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust Director Mike Vacher as CFO and Company Secretary.