Fonterra’s Pierre Venter named next vice chancellor of Massey University
The head of Fonterra's R&D facility in Palmerston North is set to literally cross the road and become the new vice chancellor at Massey University.
Outgoing Fonterra executive Robert Spurway has been appointed as managing director of listed Australian company GrainCorp.
Spurway takes up his new role in 2020 after completion of the planned demerger of GrainCorp’s Malt business.
Spurway, Fonterra’s chief operating officer, is leaving the co-op. It was announced in September that he has decided to leave after eight years as an executive manager.
A statement from GrainCorp says Spurway has more than 25 years’ experience in the food and dairy industries, including multiple senior operational roles with both Fonterra and Goodman Fielder Australia: he has also held CEO roles Salad Fresh and Mrs Crocket’s Kitchen.
He will be relocating to Sydney from Christchurch and will commence work following GrainCorp shareholder and Court approval of the demerger of GrainCorp’s Malt business.
GrainCorp chairman, Graham Bradley says the board was delighted to announce the appointment of Spurway, following an extensive local and international search process.
“GrainCorp’s board is very pleased that Robert has accepted the role as the next managing director and chief executive officer of GrainCorp after completion of the demerger,” Bradley said.
“Robert is a proven leader who brings extensive experience in the food and dairy industries, both through operational and executive leadership roles.”
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.