The NZRLT Board and Leadership Team are pleased to announce Jack Cocks’ appointment as Associate Trustee.
Jack replaces Olivia Weatherburn. As the role is for one year, Olivia now steps aside after her exemplary service on the board. Olivia’s positivity, energy and contribution has been valuable – and valued.
Jack now joins Kate Scott, Chair, and Rebecca Hyde, Murray King, Steve Wilkins, Trustees, and Hamish Fraser and Paul Crick, Independent Trustees.
“The board is excited to welcome Jack to the role of Associate Trustee. Jack brings a diverse background in farming, consultancy and the importance of personal resilience to his passion for developing others”, says Kate Scott, Board Chair.
Jack is an Otago high country farmer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in farm management from Lincoln University and a masters in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois. Prior to farming Jack was a Dunedin based agribusiness consultant.
Jack suffered a life-threatening brain aneurysm eleven years ago which saw him spend eight months in hospital over six years and undergo fifteen major surgeries. Following this experience he has studied and researched how ‘Resilient Farmers Thrive in the Face of Adversity’ through the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme.
He has been asked to do many talks to corporate, farmer, and student groups on his ideas around how farmers can be more resilient to thrive in the face of adversity.
“It’s a real privilege to join the NZRLT board for the next twelve months. I’m looking forward to the opportunity. I’m sure I will learn a huge amount, and I hope to add value to the organisation”, says Jack Cocks.
The Associate Trustee role offers valuable governance in practice experience to those appointed, while providing the opportunity to contribute to the Board’s objectives and to the wider sector in a meaningful way.
Jack’s first official NZRLT board meeting will be 3 July.
