Mark Leslie has 25 years of experience in the agricultural industry, including roles in operations, logistics, technology and product development, and quality assurance.
Silver Fern Farms chief operating officer Mark Leslie will join Pāmu as its chief executive, board chair Dr Warren Parker announced today.
Parker says Leslie brings a wealth of primary sector experience to the role.
“The board are delighted that Mark is joining Pāmu as we continue to successfully deliver our strategy,” Parker said.
“His skillset, including hands-on experience running substantial livestock and dairy operations and background in farming, will be beneficial as we work to produce higher farm gate returns with a smaller environmental footprint and with an ongoing focus on the wellbeing of our people, our animals and the land we farm.”
Leslie has 25 years of experience in the agricultural industry, including roles in operations, logistics, technology and product development, and quality assurance.
Prior to joining Silver Fern Farms, Leslie spent nearly two decades at Fonterra, including as head of the operations and supply chain component of the brands business in New Zealand, and previously had responsibility for the operation of the 94 ingredients plants across Fonterra’s 27 sites, along with the associated milk collection activities.
Leslie has also held several board and ministerial advisory roles and chaired the Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms joint venture company Kotahi (which provides freight logistics solutions to a number of key NZ exporters and importers) for six years and the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium.
He holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons) and a Masters of Business Administration (with Distinction), both from Massey University.
Leslie grew up on a dairy farm in Reporoa on the North Island’s Central Plateau.
“Pāmu is well-positioned to embrace the opportunities in the primary sector to provide global consumers with lower footprint and more climate-friendly food and fibre products. We are confident Mark is the right leader to keep taking the company forward to meet these market and societal demands,” he said.
Leslie takes over in March.
Steven Carden leaves Pāmu on December 17 and in the interim general manager of forestry and horticulture Andrew Sliper will act as chief executive.
