Sir David Carter to head Ruralco board

Carter replaces Jessie Chan who stepped down from the board last month.

He joined the Ruralco board in 2020. Prior to this, he competed a successful 26 year parliamentary career which saw him chair numerous select committees as a Member of Parliament before becoming a Senior Cabinet Minister from 2008 until 2012. This included being Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, Economic Development, Forestry, and Primary Industries from 2008 to 2012 before being elected Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament at the start of 2013. In December 2000 Carter was awarded a Knighthood recognising his 26 years of public service.

He currently farms 10,000 stock unit sheep and beef breeding and fattening operations, spread over three properties on Banks Peninsula and in North Canterbury.

Carter says he is honoured to be appointed by the board to the chair role.

“I am committed to supporting our chief executive officer and executive team to continue the good work done to date by all of our people and to keep challenging ourselves to deliver value for our members."

Ruralco chief executive Rob Sharkie says Carter’s experience in both governance and farming has been valuable during his board tenure to date.

“With him now moving into the chair role we are looking forward to working together to build Ruralco into the partner of choice for rural New Zealand."