Source: Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ)
The Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) has appointed Guy Roper as its Independent Chairman.
Mr Roper takes up the position from Matt Bolger, who stepped down at the end of last year following his appointment to Fonterra’s senior management team.
Mr Roper is an experienced director, with a strong background in the dairy industry.
As Chief Executive of Port Taranaki for six years up until 2021, he played an important role in the supply chain that enables New Zealand’s dairy exports. Before this, he held a variety of roles in the dairy sector, including at Fonterra as Global Account Director for Nestlé and as Commercial Director of Global Trade and Ingredients, as well as a farmer-elected director of the former Kiwi Co-operative Dairies, one of the two co-operatives that merged to form Fonterra. He currently holds directorships of Fisher Funds Management and Port Nelson.
As Independent Chair of DCANZ, Mr Roper will chair a governance group comprising CEO’s and executive leaders of 11 dairy companies that together account for more than 98% of the milk processed in New Zealand. These companies come together at DCANZ to work in the best interests of the dairy industry.
“DCANZ is pleased to welcome Guy to this role,” says Brendhan Greaney, CEO of Tatua, speaking on behalf of the DCANZ Executive Committee.
“His governance capabilities, combined with a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience from previous executive roles, and his general passion for improving New Zealand’s prosperity through trade, will be important assets for DCANZ.”
Mr Roper says: “I am excited to have this opportunity to contribute to a sector that I believe in and identify with.
“The dairy industry plays an important role in New Zealand, and the leadership of dairy companies matters, especially in challenging times”.
DCANZ is focused on growing dairy trade opportunities. Not only does this mean bringing down trade barriers, it also includes ensuring dairy exports, which currently deliver 35% of New Zealand’s total goods trade earnings, continue to be supplied within efficient and globally respected food regulatory and biosecurity frameworks. DCANZ also works to maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a reliable supplier of top-quality, safe and sustainably produced dairy products.
