increase font size
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.”
OPINION: There is zero chance that someone who joined Fonterra as a lobbyist, then served as a general manager of Fonterra's nutrient management programme, and sat on the board of Export NZ, a division of lobbyist group Business New Zealand, doesn't understand that local butter (and milk and cheese) prices are set by the international commodity price.
Kiwis love their butter, and that's great because New Zealand produces some of the best butter in the world. But when the price of butter goes up, it's tough for some, particularly when many other grocery staples have also gone up and the heat goes on co-operative Fonterra, the country's main butter maker. Here the co-op explains why butter prices are so high right now.
An A$2 billion bid for Fonterra's Oceania business would be great news, according to Forsyth Barr senior analyst, equities, Matt Montgomerie.
The world's largest dairy company may be in pole position to acquire Fonterra's Australian assets.
Over 85% of Fonterra farmer suppliers will be eligible for customer funding up to $1,500 for solutions designed to drive on-farm efficiency gains and reduce emissions intensity.
Fresh produce grower and exporter T&G Global has overturned last year’s dismal performance by reporting a half year net profit of $1.7 million.
One of New Zealand’s largest fertiliser plants could be forced to shut down for four months as uncertainty looms over gas supply.
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is consulting on a proposal to ban weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA).
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
