Agriculture Minister David Carter said Dr Horn had been appointed an independent convener, charged with forming a single voice to unite the largely dysfunctional wool industry, in line with the Wool Taskforce's recent recommendations.
Dr Horn has held senior executive roles with the ANZ Banking Group, he is a former Treasury secretary and he sits on the board of Telecom and is chairman of the National Health Board.
Mr Carter said Dr Horn would soon facilitate a meeting of wool industry organisations to begin the process of forming a single voice for the industry.
It will not be a simple job, with the strong wool sector plagued by in-fighting and bitterness prompted by a continued tumbling of prices and farmers treating wool as a by-product of meat.
To turn those sagging fortunes around, the task force recommended more co-operation, being market focused and playing to wool's natural and sustainable attributes, a view that was not universally supported by the sector.
Mr Carter said he had faith in Dr Horn.
"The Government is serious about uniting the wool sector and moving it forward.
"Securing a person of Dr Horn's calibre gives me confidence that progress can be made quickly."