Thursday:
Ian Proudfoot


Ian Proudfoot is the Global Head of Agribusiness for KPMG and an Audit partner based in Auckland. He provides services to clients in a range of sectors including viticulture, horticulture, pastoral agriculture and agricultural support services. He has led KPMGNew Zealand’s strategic agribusiness initiative since it was launched in 2009, authoring each edition of the KPMG Agribusiness Agenda and editing the weekly Field Notes publication. In 2013, he was asked to establish and lead a global network of KPMG professionals working with clients in the agribusiness sector worldwide. Ian is a regular presenter and commentator on sector issues both in New Zealand and internationally. 

Friday:
Dr Brendan Haigh, Senior Scientist, Dairy Foods Team, AgResearch

Dr Brendan Haigh is a scientist with a passion for research-driven commercial innovation. Brendan works for AgResearch, where he works closely with New Zealand companies to develop and deliver science projects which support the creation of high value functional foods. Current programmes he manages include the Whai Hua PGP research programme and the Innovative New Zealand Hybrid UHT Food Products programme. Dr Haigh led AgResearch’s Dairy Foods team for five years, overseeing the growth of both people and projects in this high demand area. More recently he has switched into an Innovation Broker role at AgResearch, which allows him to focus on new project development with food companies in the upper North Island.

 Brendan’s early career was in a non-agricultural field, human medical research. Brendan will talk about his shift into the agribusiness sector and the opportunities he sees for young New Zealanders in this area, particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds. He will also talk about some of the latest research he is involved in, research which is breaking down the boundaries between foods and medicine, and challenging the way we traditionally view the development of new food products.

Saturday:
Dame Alison Paterson

Alison Paterson was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business in the New Year Honours 2014 and was previously awarded the QSO for services to the community. She is a Fellow of the University of Auckland, DCom (Massey), Distinguished Fellow of the IoD, and FCA. She was 2010 QBE Chairman of the Year.

Originally a chartered accountant with a large sole farm accounting practice, her career focus since the late 1980s has been on corporate governance. Board experience has brought a good understanding of health, the central bank, consumer issues and infrastructure, in addition to the core agribusiness competency. Experience as chair has also resulted in review or mediation roles (e.g. MetService/NIWA, Transpower/Electricity Commission, and Review AgResearch Forage Commercilisation Strategy).

Alison is currently chair of GMI Group, FarmIQ, Gravida (National Research Centre for Growth and Development, UoA), BPAC NZ Ltd, NZ Formulary Ltd and Stevenson Agriculture Ltd, and is a board member of Vector Ltd, Intueri Ltd and the Health Quality and Safety Commission. She is a member of the NZX Market Disciplinary Tribunal, and a member of NZ Global Women.

Among previous appointments, Alison has served on the board of Landcorp Farming Ltd (as chair 1999/2007), Abano Healthcare Ltd (as chair 2006/2011), Reserve Bank of New Zealand (including as deputy chair and chair of the Audit Committee), Electricity and Gas Complaints Commission (as chair 2000/2007), Waitemata Health (as chair 1996/2001), Stevenson Group Ltd (including deputy chair 2010/2013), Wrightson Ltd, Nga Pae o Te Maramatanga and Massey Council (including as chair of Audit and Risk for five years and pro-chancellor for 18 months). Other governance appointments include those in health and infrastructure.