Celebrating outstanding achievements in food and agribusiness
The prestigious Rabobank Leadership Awards are peer-nominated awards recognising outstanding individual achievement, and contribution to, Australia and New Zealand’s food and agribusiness industries.
The two industry accolades – the Rabobank Leadership Award and the Rabobank Emerging Leader Award – are awarded annually to an accomplished leader in the agricultural sector and an up-and-coming leader.
In the 20 years we have been involved in the awards, leaders from both sides of the Tasman have been recognised. 2019 is the first time the Awards have been presented in New Zealand.
- 2019 Award Recipients
- Key Speaker
- Past Recipients
- Case Studies
- Gallery
Volker Kuntzsch
2019 Rabobank Leadership Award Recipient
The CEO of New Zealand's largest seafood company, Sanford, has taken out the flagship 2019 Rabobank Leadership Award - which recognises outstanding senior leadership in the food and agribusiness industries across New Zealand and Australia.
Volker was appointed into the CEO role at Sanford in 2014, bringing with him an international track record of more than 25 years in the industry and a global reputation. Over the past five years, under his leadership, Sanford has transformed from a commodities player into a business which is focused on creating value for its customers and the company, while at the same time becoming a major advocate of sustainability and creating high-end consumer goods.
Mat Hocken
2019 Rabobank Emerging Leader Award Recipient
Director of Grassmere Dairy based in Manawatu, Mat Hocken, has taken out the 2019 Rabobank Emerging Leader Award - which recognises an up and coming leader who has made a significant contribution to the sector early on in their career.
Mat returned to New Zealand in 2013 to take over the family business, a 1000-cow dairy operation on the banks of the Oroua river in the Manawatu, successfully growing the enterprise and making his mark as an industry leader both locally and nationally.
Key Speaker
John Brakenridge
Chief Executive of The New Zealand Merino Company
John is the Chief Executive of The New Zealand Merino Company (NZM), an integrated sales, marketing, and innovation company focused on redesigning the wool industry and complementary areas of New Zealand’s primary industries.
He has extensive experience in international marketing and brand building with his passion spanning a number of areas within the primary sector.
In addition to his world-leading work in the wool industry, John has created close ties with the Stanford Graduate School of Business at Stanford University and through this relationship, created the transformational Primary Sector leadership initiative, or ‘movement’, Te Hono.
What initially began as a grassroots idea to build trust and increase leadership capability, Te Hono quickly became a private sector led, government enabled accelerator of success, with both tangible and intangible benefits whilst unifying over 260 in CEO or senior level governance positions, leaders from Māori business, universities and government agencies. The collective represents over 80% of New Zealand agribusiness and through John’s leadership, the alumni are unified in the long-term vision for Aotearoa, New Zealand to be the global exemplar economically, socially and environmentally and are driving transformation of the current export market from a trading nation to a consumer-centric, value-based paradigm.
In February 2019 John launched the world’s first wool fibre accelerator, Studio ZQ, in Christchurch. This physical foresight space serves as a global connector and is a hub for natural fibre expertise, education, prototyping ideas, innovation and collaboration. Studio ZQ sits at the intersections of design, technology, experiential R&D, narrative and strategy.
In 2013, John was selected as the winner of the KPMG Leader: Outstanding Contribution to International Business in the New Zealand International Business Awards, while NZM won the AUT Business School: Most Innovative Business Model in International Business award. NZM was awarded the Champion Exporter Medium/Large Business at the Champion Canterbury Business Awards 2019 and is a finalist for three of the New Zealand International Business Awards 2019: Best Large Business, Excellence in Innovation and Excellence in Design, as well as finalist with Gaze Commercial in the Best Awards 2019: Offices & Workplace Environments.
John holds an MBA from the University of Canterbury, has completed post-graduate study at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business and is currently on the board of Alpine Origin Merino Limited. John recently finished an eight year term on the Pamu Board of Directors and is a member of the New Zealand Primary Sector Council. He has lived and worked in the USA, UK, the Middle East and Europe.
Previous Award Winners
Meet the winners of our prestigious awards
Jim Geltch AM
Leadership Award recipient 2018
The CEO of Nuffield International Jim Geltch took out the 2018 Rabobank Leadership Award, recognising his “fundamentally important” role in developing upcoming leadership.
Anna Speer
Emerging Leader Award recipient 2018
Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) Chief Operating Officer Anna Speer was recognised as a trailblazer with vast potential in the food and agribusiness sector.
David Crombie AM
Leadership Award recipient 2017
Australian beef industry leader David Crombie took out the 2017 Rabobank Leadership Award, in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to agribusiness.
Nathan Free
Emerging Leader Award recipient 2017
Organic farmer Nathan Free received the 2017 Rabobank Emerging Leader Award, recognising exceptional up-and-coming leadership in Australia and New Zealand's food and agribusiness industries.
Sir Graeme Harrison
Leadership Award recipient 2016
Sir Graeme Harrison is the founder and chair of one of New Zealand's largest exporters, ANZCO Foods. He was awarded the 2016 Rabobank Leadership Award in recognition of his contribution to the food and agribusiness sectors.
Jan Vydra
Emerging Leader Award recipient 2016
Entrepreneur and co-founder of one of Australia's leading herb businesses, Jan Vydra received the 2016 Rabobank Emerging Leader Award, recognising exceptional up-and-coming leadership in Australia and New Zealand's food and agribusiness industries.
Sir Henry van der Heyden
Leadership Award recipient 2015
New Zealand business leader and dairy industry identity Sir Henry van der Heyden has received the 2015 Rabobank Leadership Award, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the food and agribusiness sectors.
Zachary Caudo
Emerging Leader Award recipient 2015
Viticulturist Zachary Caudo, from South Australia’s Riverland has been award the 2015 Rabobank Emerging Leadership Award which recognises exceptional up-and-coming leadership in Australia and New Zealand’s food and agribusiness industries.
Mick Keogh
Leadership Award recipient 2014
Australian Farm Institute (AFI) Executive Director Mick Keogh has been named the recipient of the 2014 Rabobank Leadership Award, recognised for his outstanding contribution to Australia and New Zealand’s food and agribusiness sectors.
Bryce Camm
Emerging Leader Award recipient 2014
The 2014 winner of the Rabobank Emerging leader Award was Bryce Camm, Darling Downs beef producer Bryce Camm has received the 2014 Rabobank Emerging Leadership Award, acknowledging exceptional up-and-coming leadership in Australia and New Zealand’s food and agribusiness industries.
Sir George Fistonich
Leadership Award recipient 2013
The 2013 winner of the Rabobank leadership Award was Sir George Fistonich, the founder and owner of Villa Maria Estate. In a career spanning 50 years, George Fistonich has exemplified true leadership along with an extraordinary passion for the New Zealand wine industry.
Georgie Aley
Emerging Leader Award recipient 2013
The 2013 winner of the Rabobank Emerging Leader Award was Georgie Aley, managing director of the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council. She was also a driving force of the Future Farmers Network, the only national youth agricultural organisation in Australia.
Dr Jim Peacock
Leadership Award recipient 2012
Dr Jim Peacock AC, Australia’s former Chief Scientist and currently Fellow and Chair of CSIRO’s Office of the Chief Executive Science Team and Distinguished Professor at the University of Technology Sydney.
Barry Irvin
Leadership Award recipient 2011
Barry Irvin is executive Chairman of Bega Cheese, chairs the Sydney based charity Giant Steps and is a member of the Order of Australia (AM). His leadership of the business since he joined in 2000 has been nothing short of inspirational.
Dr Bruce Lee
Leadership Award recipient 2010
Dr Bruce Lee is the Director of the CSIRO Food Futures Flagship. The Food Futures Flagship is a collaboration between the CSIRO, industry and research partners.
Robert Hill Smith
Leadership Award recipient 2009
Robert Hill Smith was chosen for the Rabobank Leadership Award for his achievements and commitment both to his business and to environmental and social concerns.
Nick Burton Taylor
Leadership Award recipient 2008
Nick Burton Taylor is a substantial pastoralist, a career businessman, and a highly respected Chairman and Director across a range of industries.
Max Ould
Leadership Award recipient 2007
Max Ould was Managing Director of National Foods between 1996 and 2003. Over the years, he has assisted Government thinking in many food and agribusiness sectors.
John Watson
Leadership Award recipient 2006
John Watson has held Chairman roles at Pivot Ltd, CRC for Innovative Dairy Products and Primesafe and has been a leading figure in the dairy industry deregulation.
John McLean
Leadership Award recipient 2004
John McLean led the Warnambool Cheese and Butter Factory for over 30 years, transforming it from a small factory to an internationally competitive company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
Donald McGauchie AO
Leadership Award recipient 2001
Donald McGauchie has been an important leader in Australian grain industry. He was a key driver in the establishment and funding of the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
Allan McCallum
Leadership Award recipient 2000
Allan McCallum has shown industry leadership on national agribusiness issues over the last 20 years with a number of representative roles in the agricultural sector.
Douglas Rathbone
Leadership Award recipient 1999
Douglas Rathbone has led Nufarm in the development and provision of solutions that help farmers maximise yield and face the global challenge of meeting increasing food demands.
Award Winners Case Studies
Past winners of Rabobank Emerging Leader and Leadership Awards continue to build on their achievements and leaderships skills. Find out how they have evolved.
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