Bank ramps up rural offering

ASB has appointed Kristen Ashby as head of food and fibre, a newly established role within its rural corporate banking team.

Kristen Ashby.

Ashby joins ASB from Fonterra, where she was most recently Director of Capital Strategy. Starting her career as a Chartered Accountant, she has worked across a variety of roles at organisations including Fonterra, Turners and Growers, and Goodman Fielder.

Born and bred in Waikato, Ashby’s rural upbringing and breadth of experience mean she brings a unique perspective to this role, the bank says.

She is passionate about helping Kiwi businesses reach their goals, as well as future-proofing for tomorrow.

“I’m excited to be joining the team at such a crucial time. I see so much opportunity in the food and fibre sector and feel privileged to help build on the work already being done at ASB.

“As a bank we can make a real difference for our rural communities, uplift regional economies and put New Zealand-grown products on the map globally.

“I’m looking forward to getting on the road soon to meet our customers and broader industry participants to tackle these ambitious goals.”

ASB General Manager Rural Banking Aidan Gent says Ashby is a passionate leader with a proven track record of success, genuinely interested in making a difference for customers.

“We are so excited to have her on board in this pivotal role as we bring our full-service banking proposition to the food and fibre sector – a critical component of our economy.

“With food and fibre making up more than 80 per cent of our global exports, there is significant opportunity in this sector.

“This is not just farmers – it is the innovators looking at new foods and fibres and future uses of land, processors, logistics companies moving goods, all the way through to the electrician in Gore fixing a woolshed.

“Food and fibre represents an opportunity to truly accelerate the social, environmental and financial progress of New Zealanders.”