Mr Spark previously owned an Angus cattle farm and was a director for animal nutrition organisation Ridley Corporation between 2008 and 2015, serving as chairman from 2010.

Before joining Ridley Corporation, he was a non-executive director and chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Newcrest Mining Limited and served on the Boards of ANL, Baxter Group Ltd and MacArthur Coal Ltd.

Until recently Mr Spark had an Angus cattle farm at Kerrisdale, Victoria, and was also an investor in asparagus and kiwifruit businesses.

Mr Spark said his appointment was a privilege.

“It is a true honour to have an opportunity to apply my passion and expertise to the chairmanship of Murray Goulburn, a proudly farmer-controlled co-operative that has grown to become Australia’s largest dairy producer and one of the country’s largest agricultural exporters,” he said.

“As Chairman, I look forward to playing a central role at Murray Goulburn and working closely with my fellow directors and chief executive officer, Ari Mervis, to build a stronger company for the future,” Mr Spark said.

Outgoing chair, Philip Tracy, finishes on March 31 after being a Murray Goulburn board member since 2009.