Genetics company seeks $3m
New Zealand dairy genetics company Tropical Dairy Group Limited (TDG) is trying to raise $3 million from investors.
Stuart Gordon (pictured) will take over at Waikato Innovation Park as interim chief executive.
Fairweather has been nine years at the helm of New Zealand's only agri-focused technology park.
Dairy SolutioNZ was a brain child of Fairweather's, established six years ago out of the desire to take the world's best farming technologies and practices - many of them from New Zealand - to regions experiencing food crises.
Dairy SolutioNZ was formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of the park. However, the business has been spun out as a stand-alone entity. Waikato Innovation Park retains 25% ownership, while Fairweather has also stumped up with a 25% personal investment. Fifty percent ownership of Dairy SolutioNZ is being held in trust, awaiting a major investor whom Fairweather is tasked with courting and securing.
Chairman of Waikato Innovation Park, Michael Spaans, says there's no one better suited than Fairweather for the challenging role.
Gordon has worked for Dairy SolutioNZ for the past four years in the role of global development director. He worked globally with large land owners and governments to introduce them to New Zealand's low cost, high quality dairy and beef farming solutions.
Prior to joining Dairy SolutioNZ, Gordon was chief executive of Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) from 1998-2006 which was a period of strategic change, increased profitability and innovation.
Gordon is a chartered accountant with advanced experience in marketing, strategy and farm advisory. He has previously worked for the Fonterra as financial controller.
Currently, he is the owner and operator of a 430-cow dairy farm outside Hamilton.
