Matthew Warnken transitions from Managing Director to Chair of AgriProve after 7 years of leadership.
Stuart Upton elevated to CEO, bringing operational expertise and commercial focus.
AgriProve strengthens its position as the market leader with innovative tools and expanded platform reach.
21 December 2024: AgriProve, Australia’s leading soil carbon project developer, is pleased to announce a strategic leadership transition that positions the company for accelerated growth and innovation in 2025 and beyond.
After seven years as Managing Director, Matthew Warnken will step into the role as Chair of AgriProve, where he will continue to drive AgriProve’s vision and strategy. This marks a natural evolution for the business as it strengthens its focus on investment, financial sustainability, and delivering meaningful outcomes for Australian farmers.
Under Matthew’s leadership as Managing Director for the past seven [SU1] years, AgriProve has achieved remarkable operational success. During this time, the company has grown from an ambitious startup to forging ahead as the definitive leader in soil carbon project development. From registering the very first soil carbon project, to delivering the very first issuance of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) under the soil carbon method, under Matthew’s leadership the company has over 150,000 hectares under management and a portfolio of innovative projects that have set benchmarks across the industry. These include over 800 projects onboarded, 17 projects with issued ACCUs, 65 projects with measured increases and three novel funding packages for ag-tech adoption. Matthew has been instrumental in establishing AgriProve’s reputation as a trusted partner to farmers and a pioneer in soil carbon methodologies, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of climate-smart agricultural practices.
Succeeding Matthew Warnken, Stuart Upton, previously General Manager, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer. Stuart brings a wealth of experience in operational leadership and a deep understanding of the agricultural sector. Positioned for success, Stuart’s 18 months as AgriProve’s General Manager has seen him build upon the strong foundations and accelerate the company’s growth with a focus on delivering value for partner landholders, building commercial capabilities within the business, expanding the networks and realising operational improvements. Under Stuart’s leadership, AgriProve is poised to enhance its market offering by linking landholders and network customers to deliver value across the supply chain. AgriProve’s platform will help make soil carbon projects accessible and achievable for all Australian farmers.
This leadership transition builds on AgriProve’s recent strategic moves, including the integration of advanced technologies and expertise to bolster its platform’s functionality and reach. In December, AgriProve announced the acquisition of Geora technology, a blockchain-based platform that reinforces the company’s commitment to transparency and trust in soil carbon farming. By combining cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of the agricultural landscape, AgriProve is creating innovative tools to support farmers in managing their land sustainably and profitably.
‘Soil carbon sequestration in agricultural systems remains one of the most important and necessary tools in delivering a safe climate for future generations’, said Matthew Warnken. ‘Every measured increase and ACCU issuance is testament to the innovation and commitment of Australian agricultural leaders to deliver real world outcomes through better management. I am very proud to have been part of the team mainstreaming these solutions in Australia.’
‘It is a great privilege and honour to be appointed as AgriProve’s CEO. Under Matthew’s visionary leadership, AgriProve has transformed from a bold idea into a market leader in soil carbon’, said Stuart Upton. ‘The remarkable growth we’ve achieved stands as a testament to Matthew’s strategic vision, the strength of the team he has built, and the enduring values he has instilled in the business. These are the recipes for success that will allow us to capture the market opportunities as we navigate this exciting next phase of the business. Our strategy is clear, and we have the people, the passion, and the tools to make it happen. I’d like to invite every Australian farmer on that journey to better land, better farms and better profits.’
The transition also aligns with AgriProve’s vision of creating better farms, better land, and better profits for Australian farmers. As the global demand for climate-smart agricultural solutions continues to grow, AgriProve is well-positioned to deliver tangible benefits for both farmers and the environment.
The leadership changes set the stage for AgriProve to advance its mission of improving climate resilience and productivity for Australian agriculture. By focusing on innovation and farmer-first solutions, AgriProve is forging ahead as the market leader, delivering transformative outcomes that position the company and its partners for a prosperous and sustainable future.
Media contact: Daniel Wortmann 0448 187 650 [email protected]