Zespri to back industry leadership programme

Peter McBride

Zespri has renewed its support for rural leadership development and signed a new three-year partnership with the Kellogg Rural Leadership Development Programme to develop future industry leaders.

The programme had recently undertaken changes including a shortened six-month programme and two intakes a year from the primary sector.

That has created opportunities for 40 to 45 participants each year to undertake leadership development contextualised to rural and primary industry strategic and leadership issues.

Zespri chairman Peter McBride, a former participant in the Kellogg programme, said investment in the capability of the next generation of leaders was needed, for the kiwifruit industry and the wider primary sector.

"The Kellogg Rural Leadership Development Programme offers an opportunity for early career leaders to develop themselves and build their strategic knowledge across the primary sector, which is such a vital contributor to New Zealand's economy."

Zespri would provide financial support, take part in presentations and student selections and offer a place on the course to a candidate from the kiwifruit industry.

Lorry Leydon was Zespri's scholarship recipient for 2015 and he was really pleased to have been accepted.

"I applied because I want to further my development as a future rural leader and through the Kellogg programme, I hope to gain the skills and competencies to achieve this.

"I'm also looking forward to learning from some of New Zealand's primary industry leaders and meeting the future leaders of our rural industries."

Zespri has two employees completing the programme, alongside others from the horticulture sector.

Nuffield NZ Scholarships and Kellogg programme general manager Anne Hindson said: "Zespri is a long-term supporter of the programme and clearly understands the need to invest in the leadership skills that are so vital for future success of our rural sector."