Hon Nathan Guy
Minister for Primary Industries

19 December 2014

New PGP Investment Advisory Panel members

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has announced three new members of the Primary Growth Partnership’s independent Investment Advisory Panel (IAP).

The three new members are primary industry and business specialist Barry Brook, experienced businessman Harry Burkhardt, and entrepreneur Melissa Clark-Reynolds.

“The IAP plays a crucial role in the success of the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) that aims to boost the value, productivity and profitability of our primary industries,” says Mr Guy.

“IAP members are responsible for using their expertise and judgement to advise on decisions about the investment of PGP funds, and to help ensure that PGP investments are supporting the overall aims of economic growth and sustainability.

“The new members have experience in a range of areas in New Zealand’s primary, commercial and public sectors, including governance, investment, strategy, technology and innovation.

“MPI ran an open process seeking expressions of interest, which attracted interest from over 100 people.”

The new appointments replace Colin McKenzie and Sharon Hunter, whose terms with the IAP end on 31 December 2014, and Jamie Tuuta, who resigned from the IAP earlier this year.

“I’d like to thank Mr McKenzie, Ms Hunter and Mr Tuuta for their outstanding contributions to the IAP and the wider PGP.

“They have provided valuable expertise over their terms, ensuring that PGP programmes fit with the criteria and that the innovations add significant value to the primary industries and New Zealand.”

Mr Brook, Mr Burkhardt and Ms Clark-Reynolds will join current IAP members Sir Maarten Wevers and Dr Kevin Marshall and Chair Ms Joanna Perry from 2015.

There are currently 16 PGP programmes underway with two recently completed, and around $680 million co-invested by industry and government.

More information on new IAP members

Barry Brook brings a wealth of experience having held governance and leadership roles in organisations such as Synlait, Agmardt, PGG Wrightson, Grow Wellington, and Creative HQ. Mr Brook is currently Chairman of Agmardt and a Director of the Carr Agriculture Group.

Harry Burkhardt is currently the Chairman of Ngāti Kuri Trust Board and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, and is on the Executive Council for the Packaging Council of New Zealand.

He is also a senior executive and shareholder of two manufacturing and packaging companies that supply overseas markets, and was previously Chairman of the Finance Committee for the Auckland District Health Board.

Melissa Clark-Reynolds is a well-known entrepreneur and angel investor with significant experience in IT. She has started and managed several innovative companies, and has helped a number of existing companies to improve their performance.

She is involved with several boards, including Radio NZ, ACCURO and SoftEd. She has previously been a Director of Creative HQ and part of the New Zealand Government Green Growth Advisory Group.

ENDS

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