Managing Director
James brings over 48 years horticultural / agricultural and 34 years exporting experience to the company. Since 1982, he has been Managing Director of McGeoch’s Birkdale Nursery (Australia) which operated Birkdale Nursery from 1982- 2006. The nursery was a leader in the Australian horticultural industry and well known for its high quality horticultural products and export services. It was the first nursery in Australia to receive quality assurance certification in 1995 and in the same year, received a citation from the Australian Government for Export Achievement for Outstanding Contributions to Australia’s Export Efforts.
James was based in China for 20 years. During this time, he was involved in supplying trees, palms and shrubs to both Disneyland Hong Kong and Shanghai and casino resorts in Macau. He first visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 24 years ago and, in 2022, was instrumental in securing contracts with Red Sea Global to supply advanced trees, palms and interior plants which is still ongoing.
Present Positions:
- Managing Director, Ornatec International Pty Ltd, Australia
- Chairman, Ornatec International Consultancy (Beijing) Co. Ltd., China
- Managing Director, McGeoch’s Birkdale Nursery Pty Ltd trading as Emaho Trees
- International Landscape Advisor, Zhengdong New District Management Committee, China
- Senior Consultant, Shanghai Gardens (Group) Co. Ltd., China
- Senior Advisor, Beijing Florascape Co. Ltd., China
Past Positions and Professional Activities:
- Past Director, Landscape, Plant Material and Nursery Division, Shanghai Shendi Garden Investment and Construction Company Limited (Disney Shanghai)
- Past Chairman/Director, Birkdale International (HK) Limited
- Past Director, Birkdale International (Macau) Limited
- Past Managing Director, Zhuhai Birkdale Nursery Limited
- Past Chairman, Horticultural Research & Development Corporation of Australia
- Past Chairman, Joint Rural R&D Corporations of Australia
- Past Board Member, Australian Horticultural Corporation of Australia
- Past President, Flower Export Council of Australia
- Past President, Queensland Nursery Industry Association
- Past Chairman, Grovely TAFE Horticultural Council
- Past Chairman, Queensland Industry Training Council for Horticulture (Australia)
- Past Member, Rural Innovation Advisory Council of Australia (Federal Ministerial appointment)
- Past Member, Australia Indonesia Horticulture Task Force, Department of Agriculture Forestry & Fisheries Australia