Trade key focus for new seed leader
Seed and Grain New Zealand and the NZ Plant Breeding and Research Association have appointed a joint chief executive, Sarah Clark.
Sarah Clark.
She joins the seed industry from her role at the Ministry for Primary Industries where she has headed up responsibilities within both plant imports and exports over her 14-year tenure.
“Through my previous experience interacting with the seed and grain industry I have developed an understanding and passion for the sector.
“Seed and Grain NZ is a stand-out organisation for the professional way it represents its industry, and the collaborative way it interacts with regulators and associated industry bodies to solve problems and get better outcomes for members.”
Clark, originally from a South Island farming background, says she welcomes the opportunity to represent a primary industry organisation at a time when responding to the regulatory environment requires a strong understanding of the process and policy to gain the best outcomes for the continued trade of seed.
Seed and Grain NZ chair Charlotte Connoley says the industry group is confident the appointment will bring a fresh perspective to their strategy while providing the necessary understanding and experience to support the seed office team on matters related to the import, export and trade of seed.
“Sarah is well-known as a key contact for the seed and grain industry within her current role with MPI.
“Her experience in plant exports, imports and biosecurity, plus her commercial understanding will be critical for the industry as we face a heavy program of regulatory review now and into the future.
“The government is planning to change NZ’s gene technology regulations and so the industry will need to discuss potential impacts of this change.
“With a PhD in biochemistry, Sarah’s knowledge of gene technologies and ability to represent the potentially differing viewpoints of our membership to achieve co-existence, is another key strength of
this appointment.”
Clark says she’s excited about her new responsibilities.
“An immediate priority for me is to learn the role the organisation has in the wider seed and grain industry, and to identify collaboration opportunities with the other organisations that support the seed sector.”
NZPBRA chair John Caradus says the association welcomes the appointment of a respected leader to support companies representing NZ’s leading forage and cereal breeders and endophyte developers.
Clark says her strengths include a natural drive to get things done in collaboration with others and providing considered and level-headed advice.
She looks forward to applying these strengths to the role and providing forward-looking leadership and advocacy of both organisations.
“Ensuring the associations continue as fit for purpose is a key objective, so we can seize opportunities, effectively deal with challenges, and provide a strong value proposition to members.”
She enjoys working on projects that are trade enabling and is looking forward to the opportunity to continue the great work in raising the seed and grain industries’ profile both domestically and in key export markets.
Clark’s appointment follows Thomas Chin’s retirement after 12 years.