2023 Nuffield New Zealand Scholars Awarded.
Wellington, 8 November 2022
Congratulations to our 2023 Nuffield New Zealand Scholars!
Kerry Worsnop, a Gisborne based Sheep and Beef Farmer, Company Trustee, and Environmental Consultant.
Matt Iremonger, a Sheep and Beef and Dairy Farmer from Banks Peninsula, in Canterbury.
Kylie Leonard, a Taupo based Dairy Farmer, Governance Specialist, and dual Board Chair.
James Allen, a Waikato based Agribusiness Consultant and Managing Director.
Strong interest in the Nuffield Farming Scholarship.
This year saw the most applicants for the prestigious Nuffield Farming Scholarship since 2018. To ensure that the new 2023 Scholars can travel and gain international insights to the same level as their predecessors, The Nuffield Trustees increased the value of the Scholarship, in recognition of the increased cost of travel.
Correspondingly this has meant that only four Scholars were selected, making the competition to gain a coveted Scholarship even tougher this year. Each Scholar brings talent, passion, perspective, and a track record of performance. Their job now is to find insights and build foresight to benefit our sector.
“We wish to acknowledge all those who applied. The field of applicants was particularly strong and representative of the regions and industries within our Sector. It is safe to say, there is some real talent in our regions,” Said Chris Parsons, CEO, Rural Leaders.
The collective impact of Nuffield Scholars.
Nuffield Alumni’s collective impact on the Food and Fibre Sector has recently been highlighted by the Mackenzie Study, a Rural Leaders’ collaboration with The Otago University School of Business. The study maps the in-person and sector gains from participation in the Nuffield Programme. Some of the study’s findings include:
- Nuffield Scholars hold 14 senior leadership roles over their career.
- Each Scholar has created an average of 3.3 businesses.
- And each creates an average of 48 FTE roles.
“The contribution and impact New Zealand Nuffield Scholars have made on New Zealand Agriculture, regionally, nationally and globally is significant, and it is a real pleasure to be able to see the opportunity that lies ahead of the 2023 scholars to continue to create impact for the future benefit of New Zealand Agriculture”, Said Kate Scott, Rural Leaders Board Chair.
In addressing the Rural Leaders’ Strategic Partners: AGMARDT, DairyNZ, Beef+LambNZ, Mackenzie Charitable Trust, and FMG, Kate Scott said, “The positive impact on New Zealand Agriculture that is created by New Zealand Nuffield Scholars would not be possible without the generous and ongoing support of our partner organisations, who are an integral part of our mission to create world class leaders for New Zealand.”
Within this context of achievement by Nuffield Alumni, the new 2023 Nuffield Scholars were announced by Minister O’Connor as:
Kerry Worsnop, a Gisborne based Sheep and Beef Farmer, Company Trustee, and Environmental Consultant.
Matt Iremonger, a Sheep and Beef and Dairy Farmer from Banks Peninsula, in Canterbury.
Kylie Leonard, a Taupo based Dairy Farmer, Governance Specialist, and dual Board Chair.
James Allen, a Waikato based Agribusiness Consultant and Managing Director.
The 2023 Nuffield Scholars’ research topics will cover a range of our biggest food and fibre challenges including: environmental health, social equity and economic performance, integration of beef production from the dairy industry, and fit for purpose rural professionals.
The Nuffield Scholars will bring a valuable global perspective to their research through an intensive travel itinerary of visits, meetings and experiences, designed to lead to a period of transformative personal insight and growth.
The four new Scholars will join the over 180 Nuffield Alumni, awarded scholarships over the last 71 years.