Our final E newsletter for the year is slightly later than planned and will hit you as you are winding down for the Xmas break. We hope that this later timing might mean you have some holiday reading!!
With the year now completed for the Nuffield Scholarships and the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programmes, focus is now on 2020 with the Kellogg programmes starting on 21 January, closely followed by the largest event we have ever hosted, the Nuffield2020 Triennial in March.
We have reviewed our intention to combine our two e-newsletters and decided to remain with separate communications due to targeted interests and potential level of content. So you can expect to continue to receive the dedicated programme updates as well as this generic operational update.
Quarterly Update (Sept – Dec 2019)
Management
We are thrilled to introduce a new addition to the team with the appointment of Tamney Hoyle, our new full time Marketing Manager, responsible for driving all our internal and external marketing and communications. Tamney’s most recent role was with PGG Wrightson where she led the marketing efforts for PGG Wrightson’s Livestock, Wool and Standardbred business units. Since starting in October she was immediately seconded into the marketing of the International Agribusiness Summit on 23 March, to our Kellogg alumni and the wider NZ agri food sector.
Our future strategy and work plan has been a key focus in the latter part of this year with Scott Champion from Provenanz, (and Kellogg Programme Leader), working with myself, and Louise Webster (Independent Trustee) on refining our strategy and action plan for the organisation for the next 24 months. To be presented to the Board in January, the focus has been on further developing current programmes, new initiatives, alumni, sponsor and stakeholder engagement and delivery.
The search for a replacement for my role of CEO, has started. As already communicated, I will finish up at the end of April 2020 after the Nuffield2020 event with a replacement coming on board earlier for a handover. I look forward to farewelling Nuffielders at our conference in March.
Scholars
Alumni received an early preview of the new 2020 scholars as they were announced in Parliament on 5 November to 78 guests comprising of investing partners and industry leaders. The 2020 cohort (scholar names and bios here) have already started their 15 month programme with a full two days on 4 & 5 December in Wellington receiving their NZ and Industry briefing, in preparation of their role as NZ Ambassadors.
Meanwhile the 2019 Scholars (featured in this newsletter) delivered a fantastic forum to sponsors and Board on their global insights followed by a teaser of their research topic outcomes in a short presentation at Parliament as part of the Awards function. Recent scholars will remember the pressure of ‘that’ summer writing the Nuffield report, but this group are under a little more pressure having to deliver to the Nuffield NZ Conference on 20th & 21 March. (See the list of topics to be presented by 2018 & 2019 Scholars here).
Nuffield Alumni Recognised
Our recent scholars have been doing us proud with some impressive appointments and acknowledgements. Firstly Mel Poulton (Nuffield 2014 alumni) was announced as the replacement for Mike Peterson (Kellogg alumni) to the role of NZ’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Minister for Trade & Export. Lucy Griffiths was appointed to the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures), Independent Investment Advisory Panel who have a big job distributing $40m of government funding.
2017 Scholar, Mat Hocken became the first kiwi to receive the Rabobank Emerging Leader Award at a formal function in Auckland on 28 November. Watch Mats video here. Mats recognition came after that of Jim Geltch who was awarded the 2018 Rabobank Leadership Award so again putting Nuffield ‘in lights’.
New Investing Partner Announced
In conjunction with the recent Rabobank Awards, Rabobank NZ announced a new partnership with Rural Leaders as a Programme Partner. This finally secures a banking partner for the organisation. Rabobank was the logical and best fit as a banking partner as a truly agricultural focused bank and a cooperative with a strong history of association. Both parties are looking forward to growing the relationship and alumni support.
Meanwhile MPI have also recently re-signed as a Programme Partner of Rural Leaders and a partner with the Triennial and we thank them for their support and that of the Minister, Damien O’Connor.
Alumni Regional Event Plans
After the six successful Regional Alumni events held this year we have plans to extend this next year into 6 different regions in May and June. The seminars connect together our alumni across both programmes, our investing partners and potential new scholars as well as provide an opportunity to hear some recent research from a local Kellogg or Nuffield scholar.
Alongside the 6 new regions we will be trialling locally coordinated seminars in 1 – 2 regions from last year, expanding the focus.
For more information about the Seminars contact us at programmes@ruralleaders.co.nz.
Triennial
Update on the Triennial is included in this newsletter. We are thrilled with the level of support of NZ alumni and industry as we host this large event. A key focus for Chairman Michael Tayler and myself has been in securing sponsor partners for the Triennial. An event of this size requires significant industry support and it has been fantastic to see this coming from our existing and some new partners.
2019 Year Highlights
As we finish 2019, it is great to reflect on the highlights of the last 12 months.
‘Behind the Scenes’
- Continued support and contribution of our investing Strategic and Programme Partners to our programmes and their promotion which has meant a financially sustainable organisation.
- Exciting new appointments to the Board and Management team
‘Delivering on our Purpose’
- Graduated 54 industry leaders with 54 new pieces of rural research for industry
- Delivered 6 regional alumni events as a first up initiative to engage ongoing thought leadership and connection at regional level
- Hosted a Nuffield International GFP New Zealand leg in Nelson & Marlborough in April and scholars rated it the best part of their 6 week programme – thanks to our alumni hosts John Palmer, Julian Raine, Murray King, Andy Elliot, John Murphy and Hamish Murray and family.
- A year’s activity putting together an incredible 11 day Nuffield2020 programme that includes 27 separate field trip options, access to iconic stations and an international Summit by Michael Tayler and his Organising team
‘In the Public view’
- Current and recent scholars active in Industry presentations and industry advisory groups including a Global Insights Forum with investing partners from 2019 Scholars
- Increased significantly the media coverage and exposure of Kellogg & Nuffield projects supported by our media partnerships with $145,000 value
- Ongoing features of Kellogg and Nuffield alumni in On Farm Stories
- Kellogger Lisa Portas, scheduled for Country Calendar programme early in 2020.
Recognition of the Team
Our vision of “Confident Rural Leaders Fit for the Future” and the achievement of the steps toward this could not be achieved without the ongoing contribution and dedication of the following:
Rural Leaders Team: CEO, Anne Hindson, Programme Coordinator Lisa Rogers, Marketing & Comms Manager Tamney Hoyle, Kellogg Programme Leader Scott Champion, Kellogg Project Advisor Patrick Aldwell & Nuffield Advisor, Hamish Gow.
The Trustees: Andrew Watters (Chair), Hamish Fraser, Michael Tayler, James Parsons, Craige Mackenzie, Louise Webster, Associate Rebecca Hyde
Strategic partner representatives: (National Advisory Group) Dairy NZ Jenny Jago; Agmardt – Malcolm Nitsche; Beef + Lamb NZ – Doug Macredie; 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 alumni and their partners a great Xmas and happy holidays.
