Auckland, New Zealand, 16th June 2008 - New Zealand-based fruit science company HortResearch has appointed a new Chief Executive.
HortResearch Chairman Jim McLean announced today that Peter Landon-Lane will take up the role in September, based at the company's Auckland head office.
Mr Landon-Lane replaces previous CEO Paul McGilvary, who resigned in February to become Chief Executive Officer at Tatua Limited.
Mr Landon-Lane is currently based in Hamburg as General Manager Fonterra Europe, a position he has held since November 2005. He has previously held a number of senior positions within Fonterra and its predecessor the New Zealand Dairy Board, including postings in Japan and Taiwan.
Prior to entering the dairy industry Mr Landon-Lane held trade policy and trade relations roles in New Zealand and Asia with the Department of Trade and Industry.
"Peter's international background and his experience in business development with the food and agri-industry sectors is a strong fit with HortResearch's strategy to build greater value from innovation in New Zealand's export fruit and food industry," said Mr McLean.
"The industries our science supports have high expectations of HortResearch's ability to deliver research that drives market growth. We're looking forward to working with Peter to meet that demand and grow opportunities for New Zealand's horticulture sector."
ABOUT HORTRESEARCH
HortResearch is a New Zealand-based science company, acknowledged as a world leader in integrated fruit research using unique resources in fruit, plants and sustainable production systems to provide novel technologies, innovative fruit and food products with high consumer appeal.
Home to leading-edge scientific capability in plant breeding, tree, vine and fruit physiology, HortResearch has earned considerable acclaim as the name behind development of ZESPRI™ GOLD Kiwifruit, ENZA JAZZ™ brand apples and a range of other successful cultivars including blueberries, peaches and pears.
The company enjoys further praise as the research team behind the development of the world's first intelligent fruit labelling system, ripeSense™ marketed by RIPESENSE Limited.
HortResearch is now enhancing its commercial science capability, utilising skills in plant molecular biology, nutrigenomics, food chemistry and human physiology to find new ways to improve health, wellbeing and performance.
The company is also developing breakthrough science and technology to meet emerging markets for functional foods and naturally produced flavours and fragrances.
HORTRESEARCH MEDIA CONTACT
Lynley Browne
Marketing and Communications Manager
HortResearch
Private Bag 92 169
Mt Albert, Auckland
New Zealand
DDI +64 9 925 7223
Mobile +64 21 226 8223