Our Team
Dr. Darren Hughes
Managing DirectorDarren has more than 20 years’ experience in the Australian grains industry.
Darren's family farm near Geraldton, WA, and grows wheat, barley and canola. He holds a Bachelor of Agribusiness and PhD in Crop Agronomy from Curtin University. Darren has worked for a number of companies from start-ups to large, national research and development organisation. Prior to founding Laconik, he was a General Manager at the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). As General Manager, he managed a portfolio of project which had annual investment of $12 million and conducting research in agronomy, soils, farming systems and crop nutrition. Darren's expertise in managing complex projects, building and leading teams, developing and executing strategy and his extensive network throughout the Australian grains industry is critical to the success of Laconik. |
Wayne Pluske
Technical DirectorWayne is an independent nutrition consultant with 25 years’ experience. Wayne has a track record of delivering innovative solutions to improve fertiliser efficacy.
In previous roles including Senior Agronomist, Managing Director and as a consultant, he developed many of the decision support models large fertiliser companies still use to make fertiliser recommendations including for Wesfarmers CSBP, Nutrient Management Systems/Back Paddock, Landmark, Incitec Pivot, Agworld, MacroFertil and Elders. Wayne's knowledge of crop nutrition, extensive network of farmers and understanding of fertiliser responsiveness, combined with his proven track record in successful commercialisation of a number of products including Wesfarmers CSBP’s NUlogic, Back Paddock’s SoilMate and Landmark’s NutriScription will be of huge benefit to the success of Laconik. |
John McGreadie
Chief Technology OfficerJohn joined Laconik in 2019, as CTO John is responsible for Laconik technology strategy and plays a key role in the development and delivery of our software platform.
He also plays a key role in our research and development program, an ongoing series of innovation initiatives that explore emerging technologies, assess their application to the company’s business and recommend new strategies and solutions. John would happily call himself a Nerd, he loves innovation and technology and what it can bring to business and the world, but more than this he loves realising its benefits and sharing this passion with others. Over the last 17 Years, John has architected, lead, designed and built numerous technology platforms in a broad spectrum of industries from Defence, Wagering, Transport and Mining. John holds a BSc in Computing from Oxford Brookes University. |
Our Values
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WE VALUE LEADERSHIP
We have the courage to challenge the accepted and are prepared to do something new. We support each other and those around us. Everyone is a leader. |
WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY
We collaborate to share the most difficult challenges and get the most innovative results. |
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WE STAY STRATEGICALLY FOCUSED
We have adopted a 'Blue Ocean Strategy' - capturing uncontested markets and creating new demand. |
WE BUILD RELATIONSHIPS ON TRUST
Openness, transparency and accountability create enduring relationships. We are true to ourselves and others. |
WE ARE RESULTS ORIENTATED
We achieve results by setting clear objectives, prioritising work, evaluating progress and accepting responsibility with a 'can-do' attitude.
We achieve results by setting clear objectives, prioritising work, evaluating progress and accepting responsibility with a 'can-do' attitude.