Kelvin Wickham, a seasoned cooperative leader with more than three decades of experience at Fonterra, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Ballance Agri-Nutrients.
The announcement comes as the current CEO, Mark Wynne, prepares to step down from his position after nine successful years, effective at the end of September following the AGM.
According to Ballance Chair Duncan Coull, Wickham's appointment reflects the board's commitment to ensuring the organization remains relevant in a rapidly changing 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," Coull said.
During his tenure at Fonterra, Wickham held various leadership roles, including overseeing business activities across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North Asia, and the Americas from Amsterdam. He also had global oversight of the Active Living Functional Nutritional Unit and the NZMP brand. Prior to that, he was responsible for NZMP, the world's largest dairy ingredients selling and marketing entity. Additionally, Wickham led Fonterra's Greater China business, working across the entire value chain.
Wickham's track record as a forward-thinking and customer-focused leader has been demonstrated during his time at Fonterra. His international market experience, expertise in developing diverse teams, and commitment to delivering high-quality solutions will be valuable assets for Ballance.
He emphasises the importance of leveraging global opportunities to benefit New Zealand's communities and establish a sustainable and prosperous food and fibre value chain worldwide.
"I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead Ballance which plays an important role in New Zealand's economic engine," Wickham said.
"We have a strong foundation, as a pioneering food-producing nation built on the innovation and resilience of our farmers and growers."
The Board is confident that Wickham's leadership will continue to drive the success of Ballance, serving the needs of farmers and growers throughout New Zealand. The Chair also takes the opportunity to thank Mark Wynne for his contributions to the company's growth and sustainability, acknowledging his long-term achievements in the food and fibre sector.
As Ballance prepares for a leadership transition, the organization bids farewell to Mark Wynne and wishes him the very best for his future endeavours.
