Former Fonterra exec to head new CRI
Mark Piper has been appointed inaugural chief executive of the new amalgamated Crown Research Institute (CRI), the New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science.
Mark Piper
Piper has been appointed transition CEO, taking up the new position on formation of the Bioeconomy Science Institute on 1 July 2025 and supporting the Board and staff through the merger process.
Currently CEO of Plant & Food Research, he will work with the CEOs of the other three CRIs involved in the merger to provide continuity and deliver on collective initiatives to support integration.
From 1 July the CEOs will continue to lead their current organisations as groups within the amalgamated Bioeconomy Science Institute as they all work toward the new operating model.
The Bioeconomy Science Institute brings together AgResearch, Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion into a single organisation.
It will conduct research to advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, forestry, biotechnology and manufacturing; protect and enhance ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and develop new bio-based technologies and products.
The combined Institute brings together more than 2200 employees, including 1440 research staff.
Before joining Plant & Food Research in 2023, Mark Piper was at Fonterra Cooperative Group, where he spent his past five years as director research and development, category marketing and strategy.
During 30 years with Fonterra, he held roles based here and overseas.
This included three years in Japan in a technical role focused on growth and customer engagement, and five years in the USA where he was regional director for Fonterra Americas, based in Chicago.
The Bioeconomy Science Institute board intends to start an external search to appoint a permanent CEO within the next twelve months.
Board members include chair Barry Harris, currently chair of NIWA; deputy chair Kim Wallace, current chair of AgResearch; Candace Kinser, current director Plant & Food Research; Andrew Morrison, current director AgResearch, and Gray Baldwin, current director Landcare Research.