Pāmu announces changes to governance roles

Pāmu has announced two new appointments to governance roles at the organisation. Libby Tosswill will join Pāmu as an associate director and observer on its board. The state-owned enterprise has also appointed Jillian Laing to the board of Spring Sheep Milk Co, a limited liability partnership jointly owned by Pāmu and SLC Group. 

Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie said Laing would bring expertise in marketing and sales, a global lens and connections, and commerciality in the demand generation space.

“Jillian is an international food marketer. She has been the CEO of a tech startup and had extensive experience in global sales and marketing while she was at Fonterra. Now in her role with the World Macadamia Organisation, she is across consumer trends and customer insights globally. Jillian brings a new perspective, and we are excited to welcome her into the fold,” he said. 

Tosswill has a Bachelor of Commerce from Otago and a financial markets background in New Zealand as well as internationally. She is heavily involved in local community governance and is chair of the Pōrangahau Catchment Group – Taurekaitai Ki Te Paerahi, trustee of Connect Youth and Community Trust, and an elected trustee of the Central Hawke’s Bay Consumers Power Trust.

Since 2010 she and her husband Ben have been farming near Pōrangahau on Birch Hill Station, a 1300-ha sheep and beef farm with production forestry and 350ha of native bush, including a rare mainland long-tailed bat colony. 

Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie.

The couple have strong conservation values and are very passionate about protecting and enhancing the whenua for future generations.

Tosswill joined Pāmu in time for its February board and sub-committee meetings. At its March meeting in Dunedin this week, the team farewelled Bridget Giesen who had been in the associate director role for the past 12 months.

Pāmu board chair Dr Warren Parker said: “We have a focus on increasing agri-sector leadership opportunities for women and Māori at Pāmu. Growing directors for the future is a great way to ensure continuity and development opportunities for the benefit of both individuals and the wider primary sector. ... I’d like to acknowledge respected industry leader Peter McClure’s contribution in the selection process of Jillian who will help to strengthen our appreciation of export marketing and sales skills especially into Asia.”

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