CEO, BuildLink

I am an experienced and motivated business leader with a strong background in strategic planning, governance, and stakeholder engagement. My professional experience spans sales and service in the building supplies industry, where I have developed a strong understanding of operational requirements, customer expectations, and sustainable business growth.

With a number of Cooperative Business NZ members operating in the building and construction sectors, I believe my industry knowledge would bring a practical and valuable perspective to the Board. I am passionate about the cooperative model and enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to its continued success.

Having worked at Carters, Mitre 10 New Zealand, and now BuildLink Group, I believe my cooperative experience has given me a strong understanding of the distinct needs of cooperatives and what they need to succeed.

I am committed to building trust and strong relationships with those I work alongside, values that align closely with the cooperative model. My ability to establish rapport quickly and maintain long-term, mutually beneficial relationships has been a consistent strength throughout my career.

As a current Board Member for the New Zealand Building Industry Federation, I contribute to strategic decision making and sector wide advocacy at a national level. I bring a collaborative, values based approach to governance, along with a strong sense of responsibility and accountability.

I am excited about the opportunity to serve on the Board of Cooperative Business NZ and believe my skills, experience, and commitment to the cooperative sector would enable me to make a valuable contribution. I also believe there is real value in ensuring the Board includes representation from the building industry, given its relevance to a number of Cooperative Business NZ members.

Shareholder Director, NZ Hops

I am pleased to offer my candidacy for the Board of Cooperative Business New Zealand.

Cooperatives have been a consistent part of my working life. As an agribusiness professional, business owner, executive leader and director, I have worked closely with member-owned and grower-owned organisations and have seen the value they create for their members, regional communities and New Zealand's wider economy.

I currently serve as a Director of NZ Hops, a grower-owned cooperative and have held governance and executive leadership roles across a range of agricultural, horticultural and investment businesses. My experience covers governance, investment, business growth, organisational transformation and strategic planning, including major acquisition and investment activity for FarmRight on behalf of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund.

The work Cooperative Business New Zealand is undertaking to strengthen member value, build capability and advocate for the cooperative sector is particularly relevant in today's environment. Many of the challenges facing cooperatives are ones I have encountered throughout my own career - supporting organisations through growth and change while maintaining a focus on financial sustainability, strong governance and long-term value creation.

Much of my professional experience has involved helping organisations grow, adapt and create long-term value. I believe those experiences align well with Cooperative Business New Zealand's focus on advocacy, capability building and membership.

I would bring governance experience, commercial judgement, investment expertise and practical leadership experience to the Board. Having spent much of my career working alongside member-owned organisations, I am committed to helping ensure the cooperative sector remains strong, relevant and well-positioned to create value for members, communities and future generations.

Chair, The Independent Optometry Group

Current governance roles

Company: Independent Optometry Group 2021 – present
Role: Independent Director/Chair
Industry: Optometry

Current advisory board roles

Company: Queen Anne Indulgence 2012 – present
Role: Advisory Board Chair
Industry: FMCG

Company: Topflite 2016 – present
Role: Advisory Board Chair
Industry: FMCG

Current advisor roles
Company: Carve Meat Co 2022 – present
Role: Business advisor
Industry: Wholesaling/Restaurants

Owner/Director

Advantage Group NZ 2014 – 2024
Role: Owner/Director
Industry: B2B Engagement Research (FMCG)

I have spent over 30 years working in various sectors and through that experience, I have developed a passion for working with others to understand and build successful and sustainable businesses that deliver value across all stakeholder groups.

Much of my career has been within the NZ FMCG industry, both as a supplier and more latterly a trusted advisor to both retailers and their supply partners, helping them build an environment that values collaboration over conflict and ultimately unlocks mutual value.

This approach forms the foundation of how I approach my governance roles. I look to help bring diverse stakeholders together and help unlock the collective potential.

Chair

Chief Executive, Marlborough Grape Growers Cooperative

Board Member since 2021

Mike is a specialist in the export of food and beverages, beginning his career as a winemaker and working in the primary sector ever since.

An advocate for collaborative activity, Mike has chaired the boards of Zeffer Cider and Pure NZ and is current Chair of NZ Blackcurrant Cooperative. He has been a director of several industry organisations.

Member Director

Chief Executive, Ravensdown

Board Member since 2023

Garry is an executive with 35 years’ experience in leadership, corporate strategy, business transformation, mergers and integration, and corporate governance.

Garry has previously held the roles of Chair of listed company The Mercer Group (now MHM Automation), Independent Chair of General Cable Superconductors, Director of Tait Communications, Director of SBS Bank, Chair of Southsure Assurance Limited, and Independent Director of Ashburton Trading Supplies (now RuralCo).

He is currently a director of a number of Ravensdown Ltd subsidiaries.

Member Director

Chair, The Independent Optometry Group

Board Member since 2024

Being the Independent Chair of The Independent Optometry Group brings unique strengths in strategic thinking, building sustainable businesses, business models and culture development.

Dan’s strong FMCG perspective and background and his ability to use data and feedback to strengthen relationships will be invaluable to creating future value for our members.

Member Director

Head of Government Relations, Foodstuffs New Zealand​

Board Member since 2025

Currently Head of Government Relations at Foodstuffs New Zealand, Bridget has a wealth of experience in public policy, stakeholder engagement, and cooperative leadership, having previously held senior roles with Fonterra and in Parliament.

Her appointment ensures strong representation from the retail cooperative sector and adds valuable expertise in government relations and advocacy.

Independent Director

Director, FMG and LIC. Professor, Massey University.

Board member since 2021

Nicola brings extensive multi-sector experience to the board. She serves on the Executive Committee and Board of the International Food & Agribusiness Association and the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre.

She was an elected member of the Fonterra Board for nine years, served as a Climate Change Commissioner for three years and is Professor of Farm and Agribusiness Management at Massey University. She was made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to agribusiness in 2018.

Nicola is currently a director of Farmers Mutual Group (FMG) and Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC).

Independent Director

Director Global Sustainability, Stakeholder Affairs and Trade, Fonterra Cooperative Group

Board Member since 2022

Simon leads teams responsible for Fonterra’s global trade strategy, its corporate sustainability and environmental partnerships programmes, the company’s relationships with New Zealand and foreign governments, and Fonterra’s industry partners.

He has spent many years in the New Zealand dairy industry including in leadership roles at DairyNZ, the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand and with Fonterra Co-operative Group’s US-based business and at its head office in Auckland.

Simon has held a number of governance and advisory roles, including in the areas of economic development, trade, resource management and education. He is currently Chair of the New Zealand International Business Forum.

Board Observer

Agri Manager, Ravensdown

As winner of the Cooperative Business NZ’s Emerging Leader of the Year award in 2025, Isabel joins the board as an observer for 2026.

She brings experience being involved in local committees of the Institute of Rural Professionals and NZ Young Farmers’ Clubs. Isabel grew up in Germany, Russia and Turkey and has spent nearly 10 years in the NZ agricultural sector with a focus on sheep & beef, dairy, animal genetics and nutrient management.