Executive Team

Gary Neill

General Manager - Aquaculture

Gary Neill is the General Manager of Aquaculture at Sealord, effective from 1 February 2025. Gary brings 30 years of experience in general and financial management across multi-national corporations, public companies, private equity-owned companies, and start-ups. His deep understanding of aquaculture, finance, and strategic growth makes him a key leader in Sealord’s expanding aquaculture operations.

Gary has been a Director of Petuna since 2017 and has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s operational and commercial culture. He led the acquisition of the remaining shares in Petuna in 2020 and successfully managed both Petuna and King Reef barramundi for six months in 2023 following the resignation of the previous General Manager of Aquaculture. During this time, Gary was based in Launceston, further strengthening his connection with the team and the industry.

Prior to his current role, Gary was Chief Financial Officer at Sealord, where he was heavily involved in the company’s strategic and funding decisions for over a decade. He also played a key role in Sealord’s acquisition of Independent Fisheries in 2024, making it the largest seafood company in New Zealand by revenue and sales volume. Previously, he was the CFO of Tegel Foods Limited, New Zealand’s market-leading fully integrated poultry producer, and CFO at telecommunications company Woosh Wireless.

As General Manager of Aquaculture, Gary is responsible for overseeing Sealord’s aquaculture operations, including Petuna’s Australian salmon and trout farming business. His focus is on sustainable growth and fostering a collaborative operational and commercial culture.

Based in Auckland, New Zealand, Gary regularly travels to Tasmania to work closely with the Petuna team. He is passionate about aquaculture and is committed to exploring new opportunities for aquaculture both within Petuna and across Sealord’s broader interests in Australia and New Zealand.

James Hipwood

Head of Commercial and Finance

James oversees Petuna’s Finance and IT team, providing expert and ethical financial and commercial advice as well as efficient statutory reporting, fleet management, procurement, risk management, insurance, and internal and external audits.

James leads the development and management of Petuna’s key performance metrics, annual operating plan and forecasts, and capital expenditure plans as well as the organisation’s long-term strategic plan. He also has responsibility for the information technology function and is Petuna’s Company Secretary.

James holds a Bachelor of Business, is a CPA and has more than 16 years’ business and accounting experience, starting with KPMG and subsequently holding several management and accounting roles in the infrastructure and transport sectors, both in Tasmania and the United Kingdom.

Rene Contreras Varas

Head of Freshwater Operations

Rene is an experienced Aquaculture Technician with more than 19 years of experience in Atlantic Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Pacific Salmon and King Salmon farming in recirculation and flow through systems.

He has a wide range of experience in Fresh Water operations with a strong focus in reproduction, genetic gain and smolt production.

Rene joined Petuna in March 2018 after working for more than two years as Broodstock and Genetics Manager at New Zealand’s leading producer of King Salmon. He prides himself on his strong ability to manage both people and budgets in order to achieve challenging goals.

Nick Adams

Head of Human Resources and Safety

Nick assumed the role of Head of Human Resources and Safety at Petuna in January 2024, drawing on his extensive senior leadership experience gained throughout his 17-year career. His academic and professional background gives him a unique understanding of contemporary organisational challenges, shaping his strategic and practical approach.

Nick is entrusted with overseeing Petuna’s human resources as well as managing the company’s work health and safety program. He brings a valuable perspective to Petuna's executive team, characterised by his commitment to cultivating a positive workplace culture and enhancing employee engagement.

Nick graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2006 with a Bachelor of Business with First Class Honours and is a Fellow Certified Practitioner Human Resources (FCPHR) with the Australian HR Institute.

Neil Gillies

Strahan Farm Manager

Neil joined Petuna in December 2021, having relocated from Scotland with his wife and children, bringing with him 15 years’ experience in the aquaculture industry. He has specific expertise and extensive experience working in offshore farming environments, including the management of a 3,500-tonne remote sea site, growing fish from smolt to harvest.

Neil has held many positions from Boatman, Feeder, Assistant Manager and Manager. He brings invaluable experience to the Petuna team and is incredibly passionate about the organisation’s sustainable growth, dedicated to continuous improvement.

Neil demonstrates strong leadership and inspires a strong health and safety culture among the Strahan team.

Cimarron Jackson

Rowella Farm Manager

Cimarron Jackson is a Launceston local with close to two decades of experience in aquaculture, currently serving as Farm Manager at Petuna's Rowella marine farm since 2020. His career path has seen him rise through roles in Petuna such as Operations Manager and Marine Supervisor, giving him a comprehensive understanding of site operations and team leadership.

A specialist in system farm operation and design, Cimarron brings a unique blend of expertise to his work. He is ADAS-certified as a commercial diver, with hands-on experience in marine environments, particularly in underwater structure maintainence and repair, and an in-depth knowledge of aquaculture dynamics. Cimarron has broadened his skill set through marine learning visits to New Zealand, Chile, and Scotland, further enhancing his capabilities in managing complex aquaculture and marine systems.

Cimarron played a key leadership role in the $19 million expansion of the Petuna Rowella marine farm, where his focus on system modernisation and design contributed to nearly doubling the site’s production capacity. Outside of work, Cimarron is passionate about animal rescue, conservation, and the protection of wildlife and marine ecosystems.

Jessica McInerney

Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability

Jessica is an experienced public affairs and engagement professional with more than fifteen years dedicated to advocating for the Australian agricultural sector. As the Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability at Petuna, she drives sustainability initiatives, strategic communications and government engagement to support aquaculture's increasingly vital role in global food and nutrition security.

Previously, Jessica served as the Engagement Manager for the Futures of Seafood project, shaping a forward-looking vision for the Australian seafood industry. She also held the role of Communications and Public Affairs Manager at Seafood Industry Australia, where she led key initiatives, secured grant funding, and advocated for important legislation, including country of origin labelling for seafood sold in hospitality.

Jessica's background includes time as a Senior Journalist with Fairfax Media, and management of national rural issues at AgriFutures Australia, where she worked on projects to address national challenges through collaborative research initiatives. Jessica is a proud graduate of the National Seafood Industry Leadership Program, and an alumnus of the Women in Seafood Australasia board, the Deputy Chair of the Australian Fish Names Standards Committee.

Johnny De Deuge

Head of Biological Planning and Performance

Johnny De Deuge brings more than 20 years of experience in the Tasmanian salmon industry, holding a range of operational, technical, and management roles. His expertise lies in the technical and biological aspects of salmon production, with a strong focus on planning, fish performance, and operational efficiency.  

Currently serving as the Head of Biological Planning and Performance at Petuna Aquaculture, Johnny has been with the company since 2014, initially in the role of Fish Performance Manager, before moving into the role of Planning and Development Manager. In these roles, Johnny has spearheaded feeding operations, feed formulation and diet selection, fish health and weight monitoring, growth rate analysis, and feed conversion assessments. His work includes driving R&D initiatives to enhance biological performance and efficiency across operations.  

Before joining Petuna, Johnny held key roles at Tassal Group, including Planning Manager and Feed Team Leader. His industry knowledge is complemented by practical leadership skills, honed through frontline management roles and a previous career as a secondary schoolteacher.  

Johnny holds a Bachelor of Aquaculture from the University of Tasmania and a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education from the University of New England. He has also completed the General Management Program at Melbourne Business School, further enhancing his strategic and leadership capabilities.  

Passionate about innovation and continuous improvement in aquaculture, Johnny is dedicated to driving advancements in marine farming practices and delivering sustainable outcomes for the aquaculture industry.