Divestment means Fonterra can focus on its strengths
OPINION: Fonterra's board has certainly presented us, as shareholders, with a major issue to consider.
Retiring Fonterra executive Kelvin Wickham says the main highlight of his 34-year career with the dairy co-op has been seeing people develop and excel.
Wickham stepped down recently as managing director of Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and North Asia (AMENA) business.
He told Rural News that building diverse teams and the next generation of people and leaders is crucial.
“And ultimately that’s how I judge my time with the business,” he says.
“In my time with Fonterra, I’ve gained knowledge and experience that I could only dream of. I’ll be forever thankful for that. I’ve done my best to pass that knowledge onto the co-op’s future leaders, as well as pass down the customer relationships I’ve inherited.”
Following Wickham’s departure, the AMENA business has been combined with the Asia Pacific business (APAC) and is now called Global Markets.
Wickham says this heralds an exciting new future for the combined businesses.
“It’s an opportunity to transform ways of working, and work more in sync with their colleagues across the world than ever before.”
The AMENA spanned the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and North Asia, an extremely diverse customer base.
Wickham says in more developed markets, such as Europe, US, and North Asia, sustainability is really top of mind.
“We face intense pressure from customers and consumers to make our operations more sustainable,” he told Rural News.
“At the same time, customers really value the NZ provenance of our products and commercial claims, like grass-fed and cared for cows, which they can add to their products to help differentiate in the market.”
However, in places like the Middle East and Africa, though there are more developed economies in parts of those regions, there is more focus on getting bang for buck nutrition and how customers can benefit from and consume the goodness of dairy, but at a price point they can afford.
But Wickham says now more customers in those markets are asking about sustainability too. He adds that they also love to consume products that showcase the NZ provenance of our products and the unique benefits of that.
Many Career Highlights
Wickham believes AMENA has done a fantastic job to create a powerful momentum over the past few years.
“That’s been hard won during the pandemic, accomplished through having clarity of focus, defining the areas where we can win, and going after them as a team.”
Wickham also lists the growth in Fonterra’s ingredients business as one of his highlights.
He told Rural News that has worked in many markets across the world, and seen all channels reach new levels of growth.
“And when I think of my roles, they’ve always had an element of change and transformation in them,” he explains.
“It’s been a personal highlight to see how our ingredients business in particular has evolved, watching it do its part to take our business to new heights of growth and innovation.”
As New Zealand marks International Day of Rural Women today, women from across the horticulture sector are calling attention to the crucial role they play in building a more sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient industry.
Listed rural trader PGG Wrightson chair Garry Moore and his deputy Sarah Brown have been voted out by shareholders.
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
DairyNZ has appointed Dr Jenny Jago to a newly created leadership team role - science partnerships & impact advisor - as part of a strategic refresh of the organisation's science leadership.
OPINION: Public pressure has led to Canterbury Police rightly rolling back its proposed restructure that would have seen several rural police stations closed in favour of centralised hubs.
When I interview Rachel Cox, she is driving - on her way to her next meeting.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…