Ex-Zespri head to lead Silver Fern Farms

Simon Limmer

Silver Fern Farms has named Zespri chief operating officer Simon Limmer as its new chief executive.

Mr Limmer, who has spent the past nine years working for Zespri in a variety of general management roles in New Zealand and China, will take over from Dean Hamilton in March next year.

Mr Hamilton, who announced his intention to step down in July, would stay in the role until then to ensure a smooth transition.

In a statement, chairman Rob Hewett said the board was excited by the leadership Mr Limmer would bring to the company. He came with deep commercial experience in the food, manufacturing and service sectors, both in New Zealand and in several of the key international markets in which Silver Fern Farms operated.

A graduate of the University of Waikato, with a bachelor of management studies, Mr Limmer completed a Ford Motor Company sales and marketing graduate programme in New Zealand before a 14-year international career with environmental services company Veolia Environment based in Paris, Auckland and the United Kingdom.

He returned with his family from France to become general manager of global supply with Zespri in 2008. He has held other roles including general manager grower and government relations and general manager China. He has been chief operating officer since 2014.

Mr Limmer's experience gave Silver Fern Farms confidence he would be able to continue its development as a consumer-oriented food business, Mr Hewett said.

''Simon has a clear affinity with New Zealand agriculture and what is required to successfully take our great products to consumers locally and around the world.

''One of Simon's clear strengths is his ability to lead people. Simon has led large teams, and has a strong affinity and understanding for farmer producers, which is a critical part of the ongoing success of Silver Fern Farms.''

Mr Limmer said he was excited to be taking on the leadership at an important time in the company's development.

It was ''well-positioned to add value to New Zealand's natural grass-fed red meat - there is a consumer trend to natural whole foods, the company has a really good brand, is well capitalised, and has a talented and enthusiastic group of people''

Mr Hewett said the board was appreciative of the service Mr Hamilton had given over the past three years. His strategic and people leadership had laid a strong foundation for the company.