The Board of Trustees for the NZ Rural Leadership Trust has appointed Christchurch-based James Ryan as Chief Executive Officer of Rural Leaders.
James brings more than 25 years of experience across consulting, environmental policy, and community engagement. His career reflects a positive track record of working alongside farmers, growers, and agribusinesses.
He joins Rural Leaders from Beca, where he led a national business delivering environmental solutions to both public and private sector clients. Prior to this, James served as General Manager of the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, where he championed sustainability across the food and fibre sector.
“We are pleased to welcome James as Chief Executive. His career reflects a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our primary industries, and we are confident his leadership will strengthen our ability to develop resilient, forward-thinking leaders for the sector’s future,” says Kate Scott, NZRLT Board Chair.
Having held leadership roles in New Zealand, Dublin, and London, James brings a broad international perspective to the position. He has also held a policy leadership role with DairyNZ, representing the interests of dairy farmers to both local and central government.
An alumnus of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, he acknowledges the important role Rural Leaders has played in his own professional development, an experience he is passionate about enabling for others.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to work with our partners and a talented team to help meet the sector’s evolving needs. The food and fibre sector is facing a range of challenges and opportunities.
As we look to future, Rural Leaders Trust is well placed to continue to nurture the leaders we need to enable rural communities to flourish,” says James.
He sees the year ahead as an opportunity to further enhance Rural Leaders’ leadership development offering, with a commitment to delivering programmes and initiatives that continue to evolve to meet the rapidly changing needs of the sector.
James Ryan takes up the CEO role at Rural Leaders 23 June.
