Industry stalwarts among new WoolWorks board directors

Hewett, who farms 9,250 stock units along with a 960ha sheep and beef breeding property and a finishing unit in Manuka Gorge, also serves as chairman of Farmlands Co-operative, and used to serve as the chair of the Strong Wool Action Group.

Also appointed to the WoolWorks Board is John Rodwell who is currently a director of Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, and the Lincoln-based research centre Bioprotection Aotearoa.

Rodwell is also the founder, chairman and part-owner of Kintore Dairy Farm, a 1,500-cow dairy farm in Canterbury, and its 330ha support farm, Broadfields Farm, in Ashburton.

Mike Smith, director of Maui Capital, rounds out the group of newly-appointed directors. He has held various positions on the boards of Argosy Property Trust, the Lion Foundation, Fonterra, and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.

John Rodwell

“Mike and John will bring significant expertise and experience to the WoolWorks Board and we are looking forward to them making valuable contributions,” says Hewett.

“We have all joined the Board because we firmly believe WoolWorks has an exciting future in itself, but also for New Zealand.”

Rodwell says he is confident he and his fellow directors can build on WoolWorks’ foundation and progress further added value opportunities.

“What’s clear is that there has been a sea-change in the perception of wool as a natural fibre with its outstanding environmental credentials,” he says.

“Consumers are increasingly recognising the draw-backs of synthetics and their reliance on fossil fuels and chemicals.”