Take a break: John Loughlin

Chief executive, Richmond Ltd


What's your idea of the perfect holiday?


The perfect holiday involves great company, great food, great wine, good weather and not a thought of business.

Where are you going this year?


I will be at home on my vineyard. We will have my wife's family from around the world staying with us.

Is it good or bad that New Zealand shuts down for several weeks?


Richmond doesn't shut down over summer and our processing plants will be running between Christmas and New Year, and immediately after the statutory holidays. Livestock don't stop growing and customers keep eating; so I guess that's how it should be.

What's the best thing that's happened to you over the past year?


The simultaneous events of Richmond making its record profit and farmers having their best year in economic terms for at least 20 years.

What tops your list of things to do over the next year?


I'd like to smash a very ambitious budget and profitability target, establish Richmond as a consistent, reliable performer in terms of return on capital, and achieve this through genuine performance in all-round business operation.

What book are you reading this summer?


Lord of the Rings. The making of the movie last year has encouraged me to reread it.

In what way will 2001 be better than 2000?


It was a great year in many regards, and I would be happy to match it.