increase font size
Beef + Lamb New Zealand's new chief executive Alan Thomson.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has appointed Alan Thomson as its new chief executive.
Thomson is moving to B+LNZ from Hitachi Australia, where he was Director of Agribusiness and was focused on agritech.
Originally from New Zealand, he has a lifelong career in, and affinity with, the agricultural sector and will relocate to Wellington for the role. He starts in the new role on November 4.
B+LNZ board chair Kate Acland says she’s delighted with the appointment.
“The board was intent on taking the time to get the right person and we’re confident that’s Alan.
“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.”
Thomson’s recent work in the agritech space has included projects such as supporting farmers in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area to capture data to enable operational decisions to mitigate environmental impacts.
He is on the board of DataFarming, an Australian agritech business. Prior to Hitachi, he was at Ravensdown for several years in a variety of roles in New Zealand and Australia.
Thomson says he’s excited to join B+LNZ and make a difference for farmers.
“I’m deeply committed to agriculture and I see huge potential for sheep and beef farming.
“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.”
Thomson focuses on using science and data to get results and says he loves working on projects that are aimed at lifting farmers’ productivity and profitability in a sustainable way.
“On a personal level, I’m also looking forward to returning to New Zealand to be closer to family.”
B+LNZ’s chief operating officer Cros Spooner will continue to act as CEO until November 4.
Acland says the B+LNZ Board is incredibly grateful to Spooner for undertaking the acting role.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ) says the release of New Zealand's latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory clearly shows agriculture is playing its part in emissions reductions and there is no need for a price on agricultural emissions.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says the Government needs to close loopholes in the guidance around limits on carbon forestry as news of further whole-farm sales emerges.
The chair of Beef + Lamb NZ, Kate Acland says the rush appears to be on to purchase farms and convert them to forestry before new rules limiting this come into effect.
Beef+Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has welcomed the New Zealand Government's announcement that comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations have formally commenced with India.
OPINION: We've been having constructive conversations with the Government recently around climate change and emissions from food production, but now is the time to see these conversations turn into action.
Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.
The DairyNZ Farmers Forum is back with three events - in Waikato, Canterbury and Southland.
To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.
Among this year’s Primary Industry NZ (PINZ) Awards finalists are a Southlander who created edible bale netting and rural New Zealanders who advocate for pragmatic regulation and support stressed out farmers.
Rockit Global has appointed Ivan Angland as its new chief operating officer as it continues its growth strategy into 2025.
Nominations are now open for the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board.
