We are reaching the end of a busy year for Rural Leaders and our two programmes – the Nuffield Scholarships & the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. While we have tried to make this a year a time of some consolidation after the launch of the new organisation and branding and the increased responsibilities, the projects and opportunities keep arising and enthusiasm from a busy management and governance team keeps emerging!
For this last E Nuff of 2018, I would like to give an overview of the highlights and achievements of the organisation and the programmes for the year which has involved the contribution of a larger team as highlighted below.
2018 Highlights/Achievements
Marketing
- Launched new branding (logo & applications) for Rural Leaders and Kellogg programmes & Refreshed the Nuffield brand to modernise and be consistent with the branding of Rural Leaders as the organisation
- Launched a new website hosting both programmes and Rural Leaders with multiple entry points
- Appointed a part-time marketer – Clara Sweetman to drive our marketing activities
- Increased significantly the media coverage and exposure of Kellogg & Nuffield projects supported by our media partnerships
- Had at least 5 alumni featured in On Farm Story with David Kidd starring on a Country Calendar episode.
Financial & Sponsorship
- Re-signed four of our programme partners for a further period – thank you for your support Farmlands, Zespri, Hort NZ, FAR
- Bought onboard new Service & Media partners with KPMG, NZ Farming Life (Dairy Exporter & Country Wide) and Global HQ (Farmers Weekly & Dairy Farmer)
- Introduced new accounting and reporting systems as required under the Charities Act, with the support of our KPMG partner.
Governance
- Farewelled and thanked Chair Juliet Maclean for her exceptional leadership and contribution to the big changes introduced, particularly the new branding.
- Welcomed James Parsons on to the board as Nuffield appointed Trustee
- Recruited, after a robust selection process, a new independent Board member, Louise Webster who will start the role in January (click here for more info on Louise)
Programmes
Nuffield
- Hosted a Nuffield International GFP New Zealand leg in Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty in April
- Delivered a fantastic, well supported Nuffield NZ Biennial Conference in Tauranga in May, thanks to Dave Hurst and his team
- Discussed and debated high quality presentations from the 2016 & 2017 Scholars.
- Selected five high quality 2019 scholars (see their profiles in this E Nuff)
- 2018 Scholars presented insights and debated implications for NZ to an audience of our investing partners
- Hosted the 2019 Nuffield Awards with over 75 industry guests & alumni attending
- Launched Nuffield 2020 Triennial event globally with a great video resource
- Appointed a project manager for the Triennial – Deb Gee from Higher Perspectives Consulting
Kellogg
- Ran two 6 x month Kellogg programmes coordinating the involvement of over 40 industry leaders
- Graduated 48 new leaders within a broad diversity of sectors, geographical location, gender, age, ethnicity.
- Published 48 new pieces of rural research for industry & public use.
Our vision of “Growing NZ Through Thriving Rural Communities” and the achievement of the steps toward this could not be achieved without the ongoing contribution and time of the following;
Rural Leaders Team: Programme Coordinator Lisa Rogers, Marketing & Comms Clara Sweetman, our Kellogg programme leader Scott Champion and Project Support Patrick Aldwell & Nuffield Advisor, Hamish Gow.
The Trustees: Andrew Watters (Chair), Hamish Fraser, Michael Tayler, James Parsons, Craige Mackenzie, Associate Matt Hocken and Juliet Maclean (chair prior to June)
Strategic partner representatives (National Advisory Group)
- Dairy NZ – Jenny Jago (prior to May – Mark Paine)
- Agmardt – Malcolm Nitsche
- Beef + Lamb NZ – Doug Macredie and Richard Wakelin
- FMG – Andrea Brunner
- Mackenzie Charitable Foundation – Mary Ross
Programme Partners: Farmlands, FAR, Horticulture NZ, Zespri, MPI, TIAA
From us all, at Rural Leaders, we wish all a great Xmas and New Year.
