Thursday, 10 October 2024 10:55

B+LNZ gets new CEO

Written by  Staff Reporters
Alan Thomson Alan Thomson

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has appointed Alan Thomson as its new chief executive officer.

He’s currently working for Hitachi Australia as director of agribusiness. Originally from New Zealand, Thompson has had a lifelong career in, and affinity with, the agricultural sector and in his last role was involved in agritech.

He replaces Sam McIvor who is now working for OSPRI.

B+LNZ board chair Kate Acland says she’s delighted with the appointment and says the board was intent on taking the time to get the right person. She says they are confident that’s Alan Thomson.

“He has a strong commercial background and will be focused on delivering great outcomes for farmers. He wants to see our farmers thrive and our sector realise its potential. I know he’s excited about bringing B+LNZ’s refreshed strategy to life for farmers and making a real difference,” she says.

Acland says Thomson’s recent work in agritech has included projects such as supporting farmers in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area to capture data to enable operational decisions in order to mitigate environmental impacts. He’s on the board of DataFarming, an Australian agritech business, and prior to Hitachi, he was at Ravensdown for a number of years in a variety of roles in New Zealand and Australia.

Thomson will relocate to Wellington and will start on November 4. He says he’s excited to join B+LNZ and make a difference for farmers. He says he’s deeply committed to agriculture and sees huge potential for sheep and beef farming.


Read More


“I’m proud of work I’ve done on the ground with farmers in New Zealand and Australia, working to understand what they need. That really drives me. On a personal level, I’m also looking forward to returning to New Zealand to be closer to family,” he says.

More like this

Lamb crop drop

There's been a dramatic and larger than expected drop in the number of lambs produced in New Zealand.

Forestry cuts into stock numbers

There is an urgent need for the Government to put a limit on the sale of farms for forestry - particularly for carbon farming.

Featured

New UHT plant construction starts

Construction is underway at Fonterra’s new UHT cream plant at Edendale, Southland following a groundbreaking ceremony recently.

National

Machinery & Products

GEA launches robotic milkers

Milking technology provider GEA Farm Technologies is introducing its first automatic milking system (AMS) in New Zealand.

More front hoppers

German seeding specialists Horsch have announced a new 1600- litre double-tank option that will join its current Partner FT single…

Origin Ag clocks up 20 years

With roots dating back to 2004, Origin Ag was formed as a co-operative business model that removed the traditional distributor,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Dark ages

OPINION: Before we all let The Green Party have at it with their 'bold' emissions reduction plan, the Hound thought…

Rhymes with?

OPINION: The Feds' latest banking survey shows that bankers are even less popular with farmers than they used to be,…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter