Board of Directors

  JOHN SPENCER (Chairman)

John is Chairman of Tainiui Group Holdings Limited, Telfer Young Limited and AsureQuality Limited.  He is Deputy Chairman of Solid Energy Limited, a Director of Tower Limited, Allied Nationwide Finance Limited, Dairynz Limited, Dexcel Limited and Touchstone Capital Partners Limited.  He was the Chief Executive of New Zealand Dairy Group prior to the formation of Fonterra, and has held a number of senior management positions in New Zealand and overseas. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.  John was appointed to the Board in 2005.

  JOHN BIRCH (Deputy Chairman)

John spent his early careeer managing major dairy and food industry capital projects.  Until 2000 John was a shareholder and Director of McClunie Birch Limited (MBL), this company grew over a period of ten years to become New Zealand's largest provider of process equipment and solutions to the dairy and food industries.  During this time John was heavily involved in both the growth of the parent company, the development of off-shore subsidiaries and the acquisition of manufacturing operations.  Subsequent to exiting MBL, John became a Director and Chairman of Innovation Waikato Limited, the organisation responsible for the establishment and operation of Innovation Park at Ruakura.  John is a Director of Birch Holdings Limited, Habitat for Humanity (Waikato) Limited, Central Capital Management Limited, Waikato Regional Airport Limited and Chairman and Director of Combined Technologies Limited.  John was appointed to the Board in 2002.

  HON RICHARD PREBBLE

Richard is well known for his active role in New Zealand politics, which has spanned several decades.  He retired as the leader of the ACT Party in 2005.  His time in Parliament included his role as Minister of State Owned Enterprises.  Richard by profession is a lawyer.  He is now a professional director being a Director and shareholder of Mainfreight, Deputy Chairman of McConnell Limited, and Chairman and Director of a number of private and family companies.  Richard is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport.  Richard was appointed to the Board in 2005.

MARGARET DEVLIN (Chair Audit and Risk Committee)

Margaret is a professional director operating predominantly in the infrastructure and service sector.  Her current governance portfolio is as follows: Chairman of CF Reese Group Limited.  Director and Chairman of the Risk and, Health and Safety committee, Metrowater.  Director of EPIC Limited, Citycare and appointed director of New Zealand Water.  Trustee of Waikato Youth Empowerment Trust.  She is an accredited member of the Institute of Directors and chairs the Waikato/Bay of Plenty committee.  Margaret has had significant experience in both the retail and and infrastructure sectors in the UK and has held a number of senior management and Director positions in the water industry.  She represented the water industry at local, National and European level, having contributed to the development of the water industry agenda through effective stakeholder management with Government, regulators and investors.  Margaret was appointed to the Board in 2007.

  PAUL MCGILVARY

Paul is the Chief Executive of Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company, based in Morrinsville, New Zealand.  He has held this role for two years.  Tatua's focus is on complex value added products exported to the global food industry.  Prior to that he was the Chief Executive of HortResearch, the largest plant and fruit research organisation in the world.  Paul's career to date has included business development and general management roles in a number of industries, including automotive, infrastructure and food, both in New Zealand and overseas. 

Paul was appointed to the Board in October 2009.

  MARK FRANKLIN

Mark is presently the Chief Executive of the Stevenson Group.

Directorships: Kiwirail & Prime Minister's Climate Change Leadership Forum

His previous career path includes being the CEO  of Vector Ltd, Director and Corporate Advisor in IT,    medical, HR and telecommunications, CEO Interpath Australia, Chairman & MD OSIX Pty Ltd, Director IBM Australia and New Zealand, General Manager IBM Global Services Asia Pacific, General Manager Energy Australia, General Manager WELNet , WEL Energy Group. Mark was appointed to the Board in 2009.