AgResearch boss Andrew West resigns

AgResearch chief executive Andrew West.

Andrew West, chief executive New Zealand's largest Crown Research Institute AgResearch, has announced his resignation.

In a press release issued this morning, chairman Sam Robinson, said the institute's board was "not yet in a position to decide on the recruitment process for a new chief executive and will announce this in due course."

The resignation will take effect from June 30. West has been head of AgResearch for the past six years.

"It has been fantastic to lead such an excellent and motivated group of staff for so long. It has been deeply fulfilling to bring an outstandingly competent institute closer to the industries that it was set up to serve," said West in the statement.

"Likewise, I feel privileged to have worked with many others to assist in rebuilding recognition of the vital importance of New Zealand's pastoral sector and more broadly the critical roles of science and technology."

"While it has been great to contribute in such ways, I believe that it has now got to the stage that AgResearch should continue to revitalise itself under new leadership.

For me personally, I certainly intend to pursue opportunities in the science and technology space; these are areas where I believe that New Zealand is gaining real momentum".