Candidate Profiles - Ravensdown
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2021 Board of Directors Election AREA 5 Candidate Profiles ALEXANDER Rick 2 BARTLETT Ellen 2 CAMPBELL Stuart 3 DAVEY Mike 3 GUY Nathan 4 MCKELLAR Gordon 4 Disclaimer: The following profile statements were supplied by the candidates. Ravensdown and the Returning Officer accept no responsibility for the content or accuracy contained therein.
ALEXANDER Rick BARTLETT Ellen
027 979 8900 027 442 9940
r_alexander@xtra.co.nz primrosefarm@xtra.co.nz
“For many years I have benefited from the sound management at I live in Stanway, Manawatu along with my husband George.
Ravensdown and now wish to contribute to the future success of We have over the last 30 years been building up our farming
the co-operative” … Rick Alexander business. We now own two dairy farms and a beef and lamb unit
Personal where we finish lambs and beef cattle. We also run an agricultural
contracting business and have a sharemilking partnership. We have
Rick Alexander is a genuine, hardworking, and honest person who a great team of staff that we rely on to help run this operation.
cares deeply about the success of New Zealand’s agricultural sector.
He is passionate about ensuring environmental policies are built on Building the business has been our occupation and we have been
accurate and functional information. fully committed to this. We use Ravensdown for all our fertilizer
requirements using their great products, services and expertise to
Agricultural Experience help us make the best choices for a sustainable farming business
A lifetime of practical farming experience growing his sheep and including soil and animal health. We have been and are committed
beef business in the Waiouru and Taihape area. to the industry, getting all our income from these properties so it is
imperative to us to get the best from the businesses that we work
Governance with and the best value for and from our products.
Rick is a proven leader who has contributed to his community We are Farm Environment Award winners in the Horizons area and
in a governance role running a multi-site commercial healthcare sustainability and environmental stewardship are very important
organisation. He held the position of chairman of that board for to us. We need Ravensdown’s expertise and technology to help all
six years. Rick’s governance style is measured, determined but farmers to keep reducing environmental impacts on their land so
agreeable. He understands the need to work closely with other we are able to pass our farms on to the next generation and it is
directors to achieve the best outcomes for all stakeholders. imperative that continued investment goes into these areas.
Financial Competence I am a strong believer in the need for strong cooperatives to work
• Six years as Chairman of a multi-million dollar healthcare for their farmer shareholders. Fertiliser is one of farmers largest
organisation expenses so we need a cooperative to aim to source it at the best
price for the shareholder. I was on the Fonterra Shareholders
• Financial control of two farming entities combined 16000 SU Council for three terms where I got to clearly see the different
Ambition structures of governance, representation and management
Rick will genuinely represent shareholders concerns and always We are committed to the communities in which we live and I have
elevate important issues. Being hands on in the agricultural industry been on the Board of Feilding High School, a school with 1600
Rick can provide shareholders a strong voice at the Board table. students and 150 staff for the last nine years being elected Chairman
for the last seven.
If you elect Rick onto your Board you will get a committed hands-on
farming representative who promises to:- I am also the new Chair the Manawatu Rangitikei Rural Support
Trust which I see as a great opportunity to assist fellow farmers
1. Always clearly articulate to the Board the demands that
going through difficult times.
shareholders are experiencing in; technological, environmental,
and bureaucratic challenges I have put myself forward for the Ravensdown Board as I
believe shareholders need choice in candidates, strong farmer
2. Remain approachable and reachable
representation for their cooperative and someone who is
3. Contribute to the organisations excellent culture to keep it committed to the role and these are the things I can offer.
growing into the future
4. Promote discussion on retention of and market share growth
5. Listen to and advocate shareholders concerns and issues
Vote for Rick Alexander and get strong farmer representation on
your Board.
www.linkedin.com/in/rick-alexander-52b033219/
Ravensdown 2021 Board of Director Election Area 5
2
CAMPBELL Stuart DAVEY Mike
027 241 3592 021 900 291
stuart.campbell@feilding.co.nz dmdavey@xtra.co.nz
I am proud to be a shareholder of Ravensdown and I would Experience:
welcome the opportunity to represent Area 5 shareholders on the • Elected councilor.. Taranaki Regional Council over 12 years
governance team.
• Elected Director Taranaki District Hospital Board
Our 272 ha Manawatu finishing farm supplies up to 6000 prime
• Deputy Chair Taranaki Electricity Trust philanthropic trust with
lambs and cattle per annum. We share Ravensdown’s purpose in
over $100million investment
striving to farm smarter for a better New Zealand. The company’s
products, expertise and technology have helped us to maximise • Trustee Taranaki Health Trust raising $40million for hospital
production and optimise value from our farmland. services.
My off-farm career is as a Chartered Accountant in public practice, • Member Federated Farmers
specialising in sheep, beef, and dairy farming. Alongside helping • Cropping farm
many clients improve cost structures, profitability, and their • Ravensdown Shareholder
financial position, I have enjoyed working to develop strategy and
• Completed Crown Entity Governance Programme
business plans, manage risks, maintain, and grow assets.
I have been employed in the Fertiliser business for over 40 years.
I have 17 years’ experience as a non-executive director and am a
After a successful career in management across a number of
Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. Currently I have
positions (Logistics, Distribution, Regional Management), I retired in
governance roles with Trust House, Hohepa Homes, and the
March 2020.
Manawatu District Council.
I am married with grandchildren, and grow crops for the local
I have assisted these entities to improve financial reporting
market.
systems, and as Chair of Audit and Risk Committees, develop better
scrutiny and overview. I continuously strive to maintain a deep My career began with Farmers Fertiliser Ltd, a public listed
understanding of the business being governed, its markets and company, responsible for all distribution and customer interaction
issues. in Taranaki / Whanganui / King Country. I joined Ravensdown Co-
operative in 1998, with the Taranaki/Manawatu/ Horowhenua /
My local government experience has reinforced the importance
Rangitikei/ Waimarino areas as Regional Manager.
of good stakeholder communication. In this role, I will effectively
listen to supplier concerns and advise on incorporating these into My tenure at Ravensdown, gave me an appreciation of the benefits
company strategy and policy. of the farmer owned cooperative structure for the agricultural
sector.
With your support, I will be a highly engaged and active Board
member. For the past 12 years I have been an elected councilor of the Taranaki
Regional Council and serve on two standing committees - Policy &
For more information see https://butefarm.co.nz/ravensdown
Planning, Regulatory and Consents. TRC is recognized for working
closely with farmers to enable them to farm sustainably.
My experience in business, TRC, and living in a rural area, gives me
insight and understanding about the importance of the agricultural
market and primary exports for NZinc. I have been an advocate for
the rural sector, over the past 4 years presenting to professional
organizations, accountants and businesspeople, thus to engage
with the urban sector so they have a better understanding of
farming and the rural sector’s contribution to our economy.
My experience has given me a full understanding of the pressure
that farmers encounter. With changes in environmental
management requirements, I believe Ravensdown, as a co-
operative, must continue to adapt to changes in farming practices
to enable profitable agricultural businesses.
My involvement in managing a fertiliser business has given me
firsthand experience of how a cooperative can benefit farmer
shareholders. As we have seen recently, some farmer cooperatives
in NZ have experienced financial difficulty and concerns about
capital, and, as a result, reduced their farmer shareholder ownership
(sold) to foreign investors.
If elected, my focus will be on optimizing the business with
management of costs, that flow into the price per tonne, for
example:
• Production
• Freight
• Workforce
I believe a cooperative is accountable to shareholders, and directors
must be available to their shareholders. Thank you for your support.
Ravensdown 2021 Board of Director Election Area 5
3
GUY Nathan MCKELLAR Gordon
021 618 498 027 267 1551
nathguy@xtra.co.nz woodchester@xtra.co.nz
I would like your support to make a valuable contribution on Background:
Ravensdown’s Board. I am proud and passionate to be an active hands-on farmer and
Ravensdown is well positioned to deliver smarter farming solutions Ravensdown Shareholder. I firmly believe in the co-operative model
and provide the advice and nutrients needed to help grow New adding value to our sustainable farming business.
Zealand’s premier food products. It also has challenges in the Qualifications:
procurement of international products and its uptake of smart
• New Zealand Trade Certificate in Farming
innovation.
• Lincoln University Diploma in Farm Management (Distinction).
I’m the third generation to own and operate our family dairy farm at
Gold Medal in Agriculture Lincoln University.
Koputaroa, near Levin, milking 1800 cows and supplying Fonterra.
• University of Minnesota Agriculture Student Training
Married to Erica and with three teenage children, our family has
Programme (two-year study and work in USA) and attend
huge confidence in the primary sector. We are expanding our
3 yearly international reunions, 2019-Austria/Hungary,
business by investing in two 50-bail rotary platforms under one
2016-England.
roof – it will lift our efficiency, productivity and environmental
performance. • Former President of Marton Young Farmers Club and twice
Grand finalist in the Young Farmer of the Year contest.
For 15 years I was an MP in Parliament, highlighted by five years as
the Minister for Primary Industries. My focus was on leading and • Kelloggs Rural Leadership course 2004.
delivering for farmers and growers, and my governance experiences Industry/Farming Experience:
have provided me with huge insights on trade, geopolitical Managing Director of our farming business for 27 years farming
relationships, finance and an ability to make tough decisions. intensive sheep and beef in a sustainable system. Helped establish
During my time in Wellington, I built good relationships with on farm quality assurance in the meat industry. Producer group
key decision makers and influencers. These relationships and committee member when ANZCO established sheep processing in
connections will be invaluable around the Board table. I gained the North Island.
a reputation for being calm under pressure and helped lead the President of Manawatu/Rangitikei Federated Farmers 2009-
primary sector through crisis situations with strong communication 2011, vice president 2006-2008. As president the biggest issue
skills, clear thinking and good decision-making. for farmers and myself was working constructively with others on
I am a believer in the co-operative structure and the power of legal, scientific as well as practical on farm limitations of Horizons
farmers sticking together and benefitting from economies of scale. Regional Council One Plan, proposing workable alternatives to
As farmers and growers grapple with environmental and climate protect the environment and the economy.
change regulations they are crying out for leadership and user- Manawatu Whanganui Regional Councillor 2011-2019, Chair of
friendly technologies to make adjustments inside the farm gate. Regional Council Environment Committee 2017-2019. Worked
Like most of you, we have fenced off waterways, created wetlands effectively within the governance role to improve relationships
and done riparian planting with still more to do. We are using between council and the community with workable solutions to
technologies like Hawke Eye and N Protect to better manage our environmental improvements and greater financial accountability.
whole operation. Personal Statement:
I have led many international trade missions and my in-market My farming expertise with a wide understanding and experience
experiences will benefit Ravensdown, as it relies on sourcing raw in governance, sustainable farm systems, financial and legal
product internationally. Covid-19 proved Ravensdown’s supply requirements would add value to Ravensdown and shareholders.
chain is robust, but access and perception issues with procurement My in-depth knowledge of the science around nutrient use,
from some markets continues to be a challenge. environmental practices and conditions would assist Ravensdown
I would consider it a privilege if you elect me to the Board of to help enable shareholders to have vibrant and sustainable farming
Ravensdown. I am currently on the Barenbrug (Agriseeds) Advisory businesses that continue to underpin our economy and way of life.
Board and am a Director of the Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Football Effective governance requires a sound understanding of
Union. shareholder needs and how this aligns with the objectives of the
I am known and trusted, and ready to make a contribution. company and local and international trends, currently and into the
Thank you future. As a Director of Ravensdown, my commitment would be to
listen and represent all shareholders to the best of my ability and to
provide them with an experienced and effective advocate around
the board table.
I know Ravensdown has a key role to play in helping shareholders
implement and demonstrate sustainable and profitable farming
practices to maintain or enhance agricultural/horticultural
production, with minimal or reduced environmental impact. I would
be grateful of your support in this endeavour.
Ravensdown 2021 Board of Director Election Area 5
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