Thursday, 12 December 2019 14:54

Fonterra executive to head Graincorp

Written by  Staff Reporters
Outgoing Fonterra executive Robert Spurway. Outgoing Fonterra executive Robert Spurway.

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.”

More like this

Fonterra's in good shape

Fonterra released its interim results last month, showing a continuation of the strong earnings performance delivered by the co-op through the 2023 financial year. Here’s what Fonterra chair Peter McBride and chief executive Miles Hurrell said about the results…

China trade

OPINION: Last week's revelation that data relating to New Zealand MPs was stolen amid Chinese state-sponsored cyber espionage targeting two arms of the country’s Parliament could test the long-standing trade relations between the two countries.

Featured

TV series to combat food waste

Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.

Celebrating success

The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.

Biosecurity award for M. bovis work

A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.

Cyclone's devastating legacy

One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.

National

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Machinery & Products

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Plant-based bubble bursts

OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter