About Us
We are a privately owned Australian business committed to delivering the highest level of service to our clients across wool, livestock and property.
AWN
Over the past 24 years, AWN has built a reputation of passion, commitment, and innovation in rural marketing, with the aim of delivering the best results and the highest level of service for our clients. As a proudly independent and 100% Australian-owned business, our mandate is to return value to our clients. We understand that one size does not fit all. Our vision is to offer marketing options outside the square to complement traditional marketing services, allowing us to tailor a marketing strategy that delivers the greatest value for our clients. Our network of experienced livestock, property and wool professionals are strategically located across Australia, allowing us to deliver the exceptional level of service to our clients for which AWN is renowned.
Our History
Founded in 1999 on a vision of building a unique wool marketing organisation that brought growers and suppliers together, AWN rapidly grew to become Australia's largest independent wool broker. AWN has built a reputation of innovation, passion and commitment to delivering the highest level of service to clients. Today, AWN is one of the fastest-growing Australian agricultural businesses with wool, livestock and rural property agents located across rural Australia.
Our People
In order to deliver the highest returns and level of service for our clients, we invest in attracting, developing, and retaining the best talent. With people at the heart of everything we do, AWN offers excellent career opportunities across wool, livestock, and property. Our head office employs finance and accounting, marketing, and administration professionals.
Board of Directors
John Maher
ChairmanJohn joined the Board of the AWN Group in 2019 as a Non-Executive Director and was appointed Chair in July 2022. John brings extensive experience in executive leadership and board directorship within the agribusiness industry. John has an honours degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Sydney, an MBA from AGSM (University of NSW), studied global agribusiness at Harvard Business School, completed the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD Business School in France and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Brendon Lunney
Non-Executive Director and Deputy ChairBrendon is the Deputy Chair of the AWN Group. Brendon has been a Board member of the AWN Group for over 20 years and previously served as Chairman from January 2011 to June 2022. Brendon is a Member of the Remuneration Committee. He is Chairman of the Gloria Payten and Gloria Dawn Foundation educational scholarship fund, in conjunction with the National Institute of Dramatic Art and the Victorian College of the Arts. Brendon also farms sheep and cattle at his property in South-West NSW.
John Colley
Managing Director & CEOJohn is Managing Director and a major shareholder of AWN. He is also a Director of Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) and previously served as Director of Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX), and as Director and President of National Council of Wool Sellers and Brokers Association (NCWSBA). John produces sheep and wool at his family property in Central West NSW.
Ben Barlow
Non-Executive DirectorBen joined the Board of the AWN Group as a Non-Executive Director in January 2016 after a successful career in Banking and Finance and the associated acquisition and disposal of grazing properties at Hay NSW. Ben has a strong understanding of the wool industry and farming practices through practical and invested application. Ben holds a Bachelor of Economics, Master of Business (Agribusiness), and is a Graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program. Ben is also the Managing Director of New Edge Microbials (NEM) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Su McCluskey
Non-Executive DirectorSu was appointed to the Board of the AWN Group in November 2022. Su has held numerous high-profile senior executive and board directorship positions in the finance and agricultural sectors. Su is also a Director of Australian Unity, LiveCorp, Australasian Pork Research Institute, and is the Special Representative for Australian Agriculture. Su was named a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering in 2023, the 2013 Westpac and Australian Financial Review Regional Women of Influence and received the Women in Agribusiness Award in 2014 for outstanding contribution to policy development. Su is also a beef cattle producer in the Southern Tablelands of NSW.