Mr Shears is a leading agri-businessman. His national and international contributions include creating high-profile food brands, initiating Australia's 'clean green' image, creating the first commercial organic food consumer product, enhancing water-use efficiency in agriculture, and refining food flavour and freshness technologies. Mr Shears established ICM Australia, a leading privately owned agricultural and pastoral company. He is a former owner and developer of Uncle Tobys brands and Berri Fruit Juices as well as feedlots, horticultural and herbs and spices businesses. He is a former Director of the CSIRO and Member of the Prime Minister?s Science Council.