Three new directors for WoolWorks
Rob Hewett, John Rodwell and Mike Smith have joined the board of WoolWorks, the largest woolscourer by volume in the world.
WoolWorks operates three wool scouring plants in Napier, Clive and at Washdyke near Timaru, handling 80 per cent of all New Zealand wool.
Rob Hewett has been appointed chairman of the company. He is cochair of Silver Fern Farms Limited and chairman of the Silver Fern Farms Co-operative. He farms 9250 stock units, a 960ha sheep and beef breeding property and has a finishing unit in South Otago.
Rob is also chairman of Farmlands Co-operative, a chartered member of the Institute of Directors and has a M.Com in marketing and a B.Com (Ag) in Economics from Lincoln University. He was chair of the Strong Wool Action Group (SWAG).
John Rodwell is an experienced director with a background in corporate finance, investment banking and investing in agri-businesses. He is past chair of the Strong Wool Project Action Group and a director of Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, and the Lincoln-based centre of research excellence, Bioprotection Aotearoa.
He is also the founder, chairman and part-owner of Kintore Dairy Farm, a 1500-cow dairy farm in mid
Canterbury, and its 330ha support farm at Ashburton.
Mike Smith is a director of Maui Capital. He is a past chairman or director of various companies including Argosy Property Trust, the Lion Foundation, OnePath Holdings (NZ), Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Lion Nathan, Fonterra, Auckland International Airport and United Networks. He has a Master of Commerce and is a graduate of Harvard Business School.
“We have all joined the board because we firmly believe WoolWorks has an exciting future in itself, but also for New Zealand,” says Rob.
John says: “Not only is WoolWorks the single largest early processor of wool in the world, it has a best-in-class environmental footprint and has the size and scale to be truly a global player.
“I am confident we can build on WoolWorks’ robust foundation and progress further added-value opportunities that are natural adjuncts to its primary wool processing base.
“What’s clear is that there has been a sea-change in the perception of wool as a natural fibre with its outstanding environmental credentials. Consumers are increasingly recognising the drawbacks of synthetics and their reliance on fossil fuels and chemicals.”
Mike says: “WoolWorks is one of the country’s leading agri-business companies and a world-class operator. I am looking forward to bringing my governance experience to the board to help them achieve their goal of capturing greater value from this wonderful natural fibre while remaining successful and profitable.”