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Three new CEOs sought for top roles
Recruitment is underway for three high profile Chief Executive roles within the horticultural industry, each offering challenges and opportunities for those appointed to fill them.
By Elaine Fisher
Mike Chapman, chief executive of HortNZ, has signalled his intention to step down; Nikki Johnson, chief executive of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc will take up the role of strategic projects manager with Zespri Global Supply, based in Bologna, Italy, in April; Stu Hutchings chief executive of Kiwifruit Vine Health has been appointed the new chief biosecurity officer for the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Barry O’Neil, chair of HortNZ, says these changes are not unexpected. “These are big, busy roles and there’s no hint of jumping ship. Rather for those chief executives whose careers are continuing it is a logical part of their development progression that they want new challenges. “Each leaves behind an organisation in a better place than when they joined. Nikki, Stu and Mike have carried out excellent work, fulfilled their responsibilities as chief executive of their respective groups and I admire what they have achieved. “There is sure to be a large number of people interested in these roles and they will bring skills and experiences which will take these organisations to the next level. “It’s a great time to be involved in horticulture as our industry not only has huge potential for growth but is also producing healthy, sought-after foods with lower environmental impacts than many other land uses.”
Horticulture’s growth will bring growing pains, and Covid-19 issues are far from resolved, including around shipping and air freight, the world economy and labour, but Barry says there’s much to be optimistic about. The Climate Change Commission report includes the recommendation of transforming dairy land into horticulture at a rate of 2,000 hectares per year from 2025, something Barry thinks is very achievable.
“Horticulture is producing healthy crops with, in many cases, higher returns per hectare than pastoral farming, and less impact on the environment.” It’s an industry built on innovation, and innovation will continue to help solve future problems including from new improved plant varieties, biological approaches to pest and disease control and increased use of automation to address labour shortages.
“Horticulture is a leading light in many of these fields and it’s a collaborative industry which shares knowledge for the benefit of all.”
The HortNZ Board is preferably seeking a New Zealander to fill Mike Chapman’s role. “The board decided the right person for the role would be a Kiwi who knows the key players or can get to know them quickly, and who understands the special cultural perspective of our industry and Aotearoa New Zealand.”
