Ballance appoints new boss

A 34-year veteran with Fonterra, Wickham retired last year from the co-op as head of business activities across Africa, Middle East, Europe, North Asia and the Americas. He also had global oversight of Fonterra’s Active Living Functional Nutritional Unit and the NZMP brand.

Prior to that, he was responsible for the business unit NZMP, the biggest dairy ingredients selling and marketing entity in the world. Wickham has lived in Shanghai where he led Fonterra’s Greater China business with responsibility right across the business – from farms to brands.

In an earlier supplier and external relations role, Wickham worked closely with farmer shareholders and was responsible for Fonterra’s farmer facing teams – as well as engaging with key New Zealand government and external stakeholders.

Wickham says he’s grateful for the opportunity to lead Ballance which he says plays an important role in New Zealand’s economic engine.

“It is important to me that we harness the opportunities of global customers and consumers for our communities at home in a way that ensures we have a sustainable, prosperous food and fibre value chain throughout the world,” he says.

Ballance chair Duncan Coull says Wickham’s appointment reflects the co-op’s ongoing commitment for Ballance to be ‘fit for purpose in a fast-evolving world’.

“Kelvin’s wide-reaching experience in the marketplace, his passion for innovation, strong focus on people and driving performance will ensure the co-operative is well placed to serve the needs of our customers and shareholders into the future,” says Coull.

Wickham will replace Mark Wynne, who steps down at this year’s annual general meeting after nine years in the role.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Mark Wynne once again for his leadership of Ballance,” Coull says.

“His efforts and dedication have resulted in long-term achievements that have significantly and positively impacted the growth and sustainability of the business and the food and fibre sector.”