Our People
FAR has a skills-based Board of eight directors. There are currently five growers and three independent members. The Board meets five times a year at the FAR main office in Templeton, Christchurch or regional sites.
Steven Bierema
Chairman
Paul Mackintosh
Grower Representative
Val McMillan
Grower Representative
Steve Wilkins
Vice Chair - Grower Representative
Guy Wigley
Grower Representative
Robyn Dynes
Appointed Member
John Caradus
Appointed Member
Mike Hedley
Appointed Member
Angus McKenzie
Associate Board Director
Rowland Ambler
Associate Board Member
To get in touch with a member of the FAR team, please phone 03 3455 783.
Alison Stewart
CEO
Andrew Pitman
General Manager - Research, Development & Extension
Ivan Lawrie
General Manager - Business Operations
Melanie Bond
Executive Assistant to CEO
Anna Heslop
Communications Manager
Melanie Bates
Finance Manager
Abie Horrocks
Senior Researcher - Environment
Andrei Costan
Senior Field Officer - Cereals
Ashley Mills
Arable Biosecurity & Industry Relationships Officer
Ben Harvey
Senior Field Officer - Vegetable & Herbage
Cath Dimmock
Growers Leading Change (GLC)
Catherine Turnbull
Research Project Administrator
Charlotte Hawkins
Digital Media & Events Coordinator
Chris Smith
Technology Manager
Dirk Wallace
Senior Researcher - Environment
Donna Lill
Growers Leading Change (GLC)
Emmanuel Chakwizira
Senior Researcher - Environment
Heather Chalmers
Journalist
Jacqueline Straathof
Researcher - Cereals
Jo Drummond
Senior Researcher - Cereals
Joanna Owers
Administrator
Matilda Gunnarsson
Senior Field Research Officer
Owen Gibson
Researcher
Philippa Rawlinson
National Coordinator - Growers Leading Change (GLC)
Richard Chynoweth
Research Leader - Productivity and Value
Sam McDougall
Senior Field Research Officer
Sean Weith
Researcher - Herbage & Vegetable Seed
Steven Payne
Senior Field Research Officer
Wendy Lingard
Receptionist