Candidate OccupationGeneral Manager for Environmental Consultancy and Mixed Cropping Farmer
Current Governance ExperienceSept 2020 - Present: Director of Barhill Chertsey Irrigation Limited. A 45,000ha Irrigation scheme in Mid Canterbury
December 2024 - Present: Chairman of the Brand Development Council of City Cave Wellness Franchise (Australia)
January 2018 - Present: Trustee Mphatakizo Humanitarian Organisation (Projects in health, education and food security in Malawi, Africa)
March 1993 - Present: Kedron Farm Limited (Intensive Mixed Cropping property In Mid Canterbury)
Previous Governance Experience
Sept 2015 -2024: Electricity Ashburton Networks. A co-operative electrical distribution network company in Mid Canterbury.
- Chairman of Health and Safety Board committee, People, Culture and Sustainability committee.
Nov 2022- Aug 2023: Chairman - Enviro Collective Limited. Start-up environmental advisory company in Mid Canterbury.
June 2014 - Sept 2020: Trustee - NZ Rural Games. A national based rural sports competition held annually.
Mar 2012 - Apr 2020 : Trustee - Mt Hutt College and Lauriston Primary School Board.
- Chairman for two years
On Farm Background
Farming at Lyndhurst, Mid Canterbury since 1992 in partnership with my wife Ruth. Over farming career, developed farm from a traditional dryland mixed cropping operation to a modern digitally driven, intensive, small seeds arable, livestock trading and calf rearing property.
Currently hold Advanced Mitigation environmental status and are undergoing the farm succession process with next generation.
Host second year degree Farm Management students from Lincoln University, previous member of Beef & Lamb Farmer Council and previous chairman of Lincoln University Science Days.
Off Farm Background
Aug 2023 - Present: General Manager of Enviro Collective. Supporting uptake of sustainable environmental practices.
2020 - 2023: Agricultural Advisor to Ash District Council. Led research into local economic impact of Freshwater Regulations and Climate Change impacts.
2015 - 2019: Extension Design - Lead, Red Meat Profit Partnership. Developed NZ FAP Plus and Action Networks.
2014 - 2015: Acting CEO for Grow NZ. Start-up for a nationally based people development organisation for primary industry.
2002 - 2014: Inaugural CEO (for 7 years) for NZ Young Farmers. Led major strategic change leading to the turn-around of the organisation and the Young Farmer Contest.
Profile
With over 30 years' experience in agribusiness and rural governance, I offer both practical farming insight and proven leadership across co-operative and infrastructure organisations. As a Mid-Canterbury farmer, my governance approach is grounded in stewardship, innovation, and long-term thinking - qualities essential to building resilient rural businesses.
I aim to ensure Ruralco continues to deliver cost-competitive farm inputs that strengthen Shareholder control and profitability of their farm businesses. My directorships with Barhill Chertsey Irrigation, EA Networks and Enviro Collective, have built strong skills in strategy, health and safety, risk management, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement. As General Manager of Enviro Collective, I lead initiatives helping more than 250 Canterbury farmers meet regulatory and environmental goals.
Combining formal governance training with practical sector experience, I bring balanced, pragmatic decision making and a firm commitment to co-operative values, member engagement and enduring community benefit. I look forward to contributing to Ruralco's strategic direction and on-going success.