Ian Albers to chair Citrus NZ Board

First Fresh chief executive Ian Albers, of Gisborne, has been appointed chairman of Citrus New Zealand.

Gisborne’s First Fresh chief executive Ian Albers has been appointed the new chairman of Citrus NZ.

He succeeds Wayne Hall, who has stepped down after 10 years in the chairman’s role and was described as a “guiding force” in the organisation.

“Under Wayne’s chairmanship, the organisation saw significant progress in areas such as market development, biosecurity initiatives, and advocacy for the industry,” Citrus NZ said in a statement this week.

“Wayne’s tireless dedication has laid a strong foundation for future growth and was appropriately awarded life membership at the recent Citrus NZ Conference held in Gisborne recently.”

Albers said he was delighted to lead the organisation into its next phase.

“Wayne has been a fantastic leader for our industry, and I look forward to building on his work.

“My focus will be on ensuring the citrus sector remains engaged, resilient, and forward-thinking in the face of evolving challenges and opportunities.”

The board’s statement reads: “With extensive experience in the horticulture sector, and a deep commitment to the citrus industry, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge and fresh vision to the role.

“His leadership marks the beginning of a new chapter for Citrus NZ, as the organisation continues to drive innovation, sustainability, and growth across the citrus-growing community.”

The board believes his expertise and passion for the industry will continue to strengthen the organisation’s position and further its mission to support citrus growers across New Zealand.

The leadership change also introduces several other governance updates for the organisation.

The board has appointed Tam Jex-Blake to the newly created role of deputy chair, and Joe Lenaghan from T&G Global, Kerikeri, as a new board member.

Additionally, Jo Pentreath has been appointed the new executive manager for Citrus NZ.

“The board is excited about the fresh energy and enthusiasm she will bring to the organisation under her leadership, and in the coming months, Jo will be connecting with growers across the industry.”

“We would like to acknowledge the exemplary service provided by Market Access Solutionz [MAS] over the past two decades,” Albers said.

“During this time, we have worked with several executive managers from MAS, all of whom have consistently gone above and beyond what was required.

“Under their guidance, Citrus NZ has excelled as a top-performing product group within the HortNZ landscape and we sincerely thank them for their long-standing service.

“Dr Sally Anderson, of MAS, will continue to deliver research and development and biosecurity services to Citrus NZ. Dr Anderson and the R&D committee have played a crucial role in providing research, development, and biosecurity support, and they will continue to contribute their expertise in these critical areas for the foreseeable future.”