Ravensdown shareholders have elected Jane Montgomery and Kate Acland to the Ravensdown Board for three-year terms.
Bruce Wills, Ravensdown Chair, says this year’s election generated a strong level of interest among shareholders, with more than 21% of the co-operative's transacting shareholders voting.
“Both Jane and Kate bring strong governance experience and a deep understanding of New Zealand agriculture and the challenges and opportunities we face.”
Re-elected to the board for a third term, Jane Montgomery has extensive hands-on farming experience across several sectors.
She co-owns a dairy grazing and horticulture property in North Canterbury and, with her husband, operates a sheep and beef farm in South Otago and a value-added farm product business.
Montgomery has served on the Ravensdown Board for six years, contributing to the governance of the co-operative through a period of significant market and supply-chain challenges.
She is a member of the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee and the Appointments and Remuneration Committee, and chairs a Special Project Working Group.
She is also Chair of Future of Fibre Aotearoa and has previously held governance roles with the J R McKenzie Trust and AgResearch, where she was an Associate Director.
Newly elected to the Ravensdown Board, Kate Acland is a farmer, business owner and experienced director.
Together with her husband David and their family, she owns and operates Mt Somers Station, a diversified 3,800-hectare Mid Canterbury farming business spanning sheep, beef, dairy and honey.
She also founded Sugar Loaf Wines, a Marlborough vineyard, winery and export business supplying 22 international markets.
Acland is Chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the New Zealand Meat Board, and a director of the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand.
She was previously a director of farmer supply co-operative Ashburton Trading Society, trading as Ruralco.
Willis also paid tribute to outgoing Director Mike Davey, who decided not to seek re-election at the end of his term.
“Mike has made a significant contribution over many years, both to Ravensdown and to the wider fertiliser industry.
“During his five years on the Ravensdown Board, his deep industry knowledge, passion for the co-operative and thoughtful approach to governance have been greatly valued.
“On behalf of the Board, I thank Mike for his long-standing service and commitment and wish him all the very best for the future.”