CO-OPERATIVE NEWS
Celebrating co-operative success Farmlands’ Head of Sustainability and Land Use, Katie Vickers and former Chairman Lachie Johnstone were among those noted for their significant contribution to the rural agri-business co-operative in November. The Cooperative Business New Zealand Awards, held at Christchurch’s temporary City Cathedral, celebrates and honours those who have made a fundamental difference within a co-operative business. A new award for the year, the Emerging Leader of the Year 2020 received many top-quality nominations from around the country. The Emerging Leader of the Year recognises an individual (under 35) who is making their mark within their organisation or an individual who has established a co-operative. The award aims to honour contribution through innovation, driving best practice, collaboration or co-operation. This year, the recipient was Katie Vickers.
| Judging Panel member Alastair Hercus and Farmlands Director of External Relations Mark McHardy, who accepted the award on behalf of Lachie Johnstone.
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Recently stepping into the Head of Sustainability and Land Use role after 6 years within the Marketing and Category teams at Farmlands, Katie was not expecting to be standing up with a microphone in her hand on the night. “I’m very grateful to be recognised but this was very unexpected!” Katie laughs. “It’s difficult to express my gratitude to Farmlands for the support and opportunities that I’ve had over the years. I would also like to thank the Cooperative Business New Zealand for putting this event on to celebrate businesses and people. “The co-operative model lends itself to building relationships and this resonates with me a lot. The food and fibre sector will be fundamental in leading New Zealand’s economic recovery following 2020 and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.”
| Judging Panel member Phil McKendry with Farmlands Head of Sustainability and Land Use Katie Vickers and Fonterra General Manager of Capital Strategy Emma Parsons.
Lachie stood down from the Farmlands Board in November 2019 after more than 20 years with the co-operative. Cooperative Business New Zealand Chief Executive Roz Henry praised Lachie’s commitment to the co-
Former Chairman of Farmlands, Lachie Johnstone was also celebrated for his service to the co-operative, receiving an Outstanding Co-operative Contribution 2020 award.
operative model.
Lachie became the inaugural Chairman of the newly created Farmlands Co-operative following the merger between South Island-based CRT Co-operative and North Island-based Farmlands Trading Society in 2013. He worked tirelessly with management to steer the new co-operative towards a more compelling vision of the future and was at the helm of the development and implementation of the business transformation programme — Braveheart — which consolidated all of Farmlands’ legacy IT systems into one.
was truly focused on ensuring the
“He is someone who has upheld the co-operative principles and this was particularly evident during the formation of Farmlands Co-operative, when he new co-operative was based on the core values of the model and that the structure would provide a livelihood for members,” Roz says. Unfortunately Lachie was unable to attend the awards night and his award was accepted on his behalf by Farmlands’ Director of External Relations, Mark McHardy. For a full list of award winners, please see www.nz.coop/news-directory
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