Gallagher appoints Rob Clayton to lead next phase of global Animal Management growth

Gallagher has appointed Rob Clayton as Chief Executive of its global Animal Management business to lead the next stage of growth across key markets.

 

His appointment comes as Gallagher Animal Management builds on strong global momentum, including 47% growth over the past year and the tripling of eShepherd^TM revenue. The business has also expanded its agritech capability, made acquisitions in Europe and South Africa, and established Gallagher in Brazil. Across Gallagher Group, the business is also on track to reach annual revenue of NZD $1 billion over the coming years.

 

Rob brings global agribusiness experience, practical farming background and existing knowledge of Gallagher Animal Management solutions to help lead the business through this next phase.

 

He grew up on a wheat, sheep and cattle farm near Coonamble in north-west New South Wales, Australia, where his family continues to farm today. He spent 25 years with Nutrien, a global agricultural inputs and services business, progressing into senior leadership roles in Australia and the United States.

 

Gallagher Group CEO & Executive Director Kahl Betham says Rob steps into the role at an important time for Gallagher as more farmers look to technology to help run their businesses with greater confidence.

 

“We’re seeing strong farmer demand for connected, data-driven solutions that make life easier and improve their productivity, labour efficiency and animal performance. That creates a significant opportunity for Gallagher to grow its presence across global agritech markets.

 

“Rob’s appointment reflects our ambition to build on our momentum, strengthen our position, and keep customer partnerships at the centre of our growth. He brings international leadership experience and networks that will help drive market expansion, while staying focused on delivering real value for farmers.

 

“Rob has led at significant scale, including through periods of transformation and growth similar to where Gallagher Animal Management is today.

 

“He understands agriculture, the realities farmers face, and has a strong track record of turning strategy into practical outcomes. His existing knowledge of Gallagher products, customers and markets also means he can hit the ground running.”

 

Rob says New Zealand’s reputation for practical, farmer-led innovation gives Gallagher a strong platform for global growth.

 

“The New Zealand farmer has always been innovative and inquisitive, constantly looking for ways to improve,” he says. “Because of that, New Zealand is a hot spot for new technology. Solutions that are developed and proven here carry an already farmer-approved stamp when launched to the rest of the world.”

 

Rob says the New Zealand heritage and global presence of Gallagher give the business a strong platform to help farmers around the world lift productivity, manage labour challenges and make more confident on-farm decisions amid rising pressures.

 

He believes his global experience will benefit New Zealand farmers as they respond to those same challenges.

 

“Every time I am on farm, whether that’s in China, North or South America, Australia or Europe, I learn something new,” he says. “I can use that experience, combined with the power of Gallagher innovation, to bring new opportunity to New Zealand farmers.”

 

Rob says successful agritech starts with real problems farmers are trying to solve, including how they make better use of one of their most valuable assets - their time.

 

“There is a lot of cool technology out there looking for a problem to solve,” Rob says. “The technology that gets adopted quickly is technology that genuinely makes life easier, improves efficiency, saves time or helps farmers make better decisions.

 

“Agriculture is a game of inches. You have to find the advantages where you can. That’s what drew me to Gallagher. It is not just about the products, but how those products drive efficiency and deliver real benefits for farmers.”

 

Rob says Gallagher Animal Management’s increasingly connected technologies are well placed to support that need.

 

“Gallagher’s solutions are part of a broader, interconnected Farm Operating System,” he says. “That’s pretty unique in the animal management space. There are not many businesses that have that kind of synergy.”

 

As Chief Executive, Rob will join Gallagher’s Group Executive Leadership Team when he starts in the role on 8 June 2026. He succeeds Dr. Lisbeth Jacobs, who led Gallagher Animal Management for more than four years.

 

Rob will lead the Gallagher Animal Management global team of more than 550 people, supporting farmers across major markets in more than 160 countries. He will be based in Melbourne and will spend regular time in New Zealand and key global markets.