Shannon has experience in dairy, sheep and beef and horticulture, and held senior management and accounting roles before becoming director at Rural Accountants.

She has been involved in several horticultural start-up businesses dealing with PVR varieties. Shannon is a Chartered Accountant, Director and Co-owner of Rural Accountants, a progressive accounting firm in Whakatane. She is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and holds directorships in several agricultural and horticultural businesses.

Growing up on a sheep and beef farm in Hawkes Bay, Shannon’s farming background guided her accounting career by starting straight out of school at a farm accountancy practice. She graduated from Massey University with a BBS, majoring in Accounting and Management, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Agri Commerce.

An advocate of the New Zealand Food and Fibre Sector, Shannon has gained wide industry knowledge and believes New Zealand has an exciting opportunity to grow high value, consumer-driven produce.

Shannon’s research covered the value Plant Variety Rights (PVRs) could contribute to the Sector.