After working as a civil engineer for 8 years, Barry joined the family company in 1969, working first as an engineer and then as manager of the food processing company. In 1979 Barry became General Manager of Clelands Cold Stores and in 1982 Managing Director of the Cleland Group of Companies. Since then, Clelands have grown 7 times in size and expanded to Western Australia, New Zealand and as a contract manager in Korea.
In 1987, the company listed on the stock exchange. Barry has been an active member of the Victorian Cold Storage Association, and later the RWTA, for many years and served as president in 1984 & 1985. He has been a member of the federal Executive of the RWTA since the late 80's, and was one of the members that brought about the introduction of refrigerated transport operators into the association, which then became the RWTA in 1993.
Barry was also a member of and became the Victorian President on AIRAH in 1993-94 and showed leadership in the phase-out of CFC as refrigerants for refrigerated transport. For this, Clelands won the 1994 AFI Environmental Award. Barry has been involved with community service since the 70's and has been a member of Kiwanis and President of his club in 1982-83. He was made a life member in 1997.
