Mark Sweetingham

Dr Mark Sweetingham PSM, FAIST
Chair, WA State Committee

Mark Sweetingham had a 38-year career in the Western Australian Public Sector, and was a former Deputy Director General and Manager of Research and Industry Innovation at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.  

Mark has had a long-term commitment to grains industry research and innovation at a state and national level.  During his career he has worked closely with government, industry and academia to progress on-farm productivity and profitability, as well as seeking high value export opportunities.  He played a major role in the establishment of the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC). 

He has a strong background in plant biosecurity and integrated disease management, having represented WA on national committees and project steering groups. 

Mark was the inaugural chair of Pulse Breeding Australia, an unincorporated joint venture involving state departments and universities, a coalition that undertook genetic improvement and bred better pulse varieties for Australia. 

From 2009 – 2016 he co-chaired the committee that oversaw the development and implementation of the Grains Industry National Research, Development and Extension Strategy. 

In January 2022, Mark received a Public Service Medal (PSM) “for services to the Western Australian grains industry”. 

Mark has retired from full-time work but provides consultancy services to industry and government in relation to agricultural science and innovation.