Mr Gibson was at the helm of Pulse Australia, the country’s peak body for pulse producers, for 13 years and will retire to the mid-north coast of NSW.

Pulse Australia chairman Peter Wilson thanked him for his contributiobn.

“Gavin has been at the helm of Pulse Australia during a time which the organisation has grown and matured to become firmly established as the focal point for the common good interests of all sectors of Australia’s pulse industry value chain. “

However, his retirement from the chief executive’s role will not mean a complete end to Mr Gibson’s contribution to the pulse industry, as he will retain his role as the senior vice president of the international peak pulse body CICILS IPTIC.

Mr Edgecombe’s appointment will see the organisation shift base from Sydney to Melbourne.

Along with time at AWB, Mr Edgecombe has been involved with other agribusinesses such as Namoi Cotton and Elders.

“He has broad experience in the grain industry. He ran AWB's International Project Investment Division where he was responsible for joint venture flour milling and grain storage projects in Egypt, Vietnam, and China,” Mr Wilson said.

“He has an interest in the current trends in sustainable agriculture, biotech, and related fields and is passionate about maximising returns to all sectors of the Australian pulse industry.”