Ballance announces four senior appointments

Jodi Tong

Tauranga-based Ballance Agri-Nutrients has announced four senior appointments, including newly created roles in strategy and agricultural technology. Two of the appointees have moved to Tauranga to take up their positions.

Chief executive Mark Wynne said the new roles were aligned with a revised focus for the co-operative on driving value for shareholders from its core fertiliser business.

"We are building the capability of our people, and making smarter use of data and technology to support better decision-making, both within the company and on the farm," said Mr Wynne, who succeeded long-serving Larry Bilodeau on his retirement last September.

Hamish Mckinlay

Jodi Tong has joined the team as general manager customer experience and marketing. She has more than 20 years experience, including a decade in the agribusiness sector with Zespri, DairyNZ and more recently, the Southern Dairy Hub. Ms Tong has also held senior marketing roles in the consumer goods industry.

In the newly created role she will lead the marketing, ag-information, customer service and research, and development portfolios.

Edith Sykes has been appointed as general manager people and capability, a promotion from her former role as human resources manager.

Ms Sykes has extensive experience in human resources in the manufacturing, health and financial services industries across a diverse range of global and local organisations including Cadbury/Kraft Foods, SCA, Fletcher Forests, Tegel Foods (Heinz Watties), Bay Milk Products and Tower Corp.

Nathan Searle has been appointed to the new position of strategy manager, reporting to the chief executive. Mr Searle has more than 12 years' experience as an internal strategic consultant within Fonterra in New Zealand and Australia.

Hamish McKinlay has taken on another newly created role as ag-information manager in the customer experience and marketing group.

Mr McKinlay had substantial product marketing experience in the telecommunications and banking markets including roles within Vodafone, Westpac and ASB, and a strong track record of driving business growth and product profitability targets.