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
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
Tamara Reynolds
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
Catherine Harper
Graduate
Charlotte Hawkins
Digital Media & Events Coordinator
Chris Smith
Technology Manager
Cindy Lowe
Contract - Mid Canterbury
Dirk Wallace
Senior Researcher - Environment
Donna Lill
Regional Facilitator - Northern South Island
Emmanuel Chakwizira
Senior Researcher - Environment
Heather Chalmers
Journalist
Jacqueline Straathof
Researcher - Cereals
Jo Drummond
Senior Researcher - Cereals
Matilda Gunnarsson
Senior Field Research Officer
Megan Cushnahan
Regional Facilitator - Lower North Island
Nicole Foote
Regional Facilitator - SOS
Owen Gibson
Researcher
Philippa Rawlinson
Regional Facilitator - SNCO and National Coordinator
Rene van Tilburg
Senior Researcher - Maize
Richard Chynoweth
Research Leader - Productivity and Value
Robyn Butters
Field Officer
Sam McDougall
Senior Field Research Officer
Sean Weith
Researcher - Herbage & Vegetable Seed
Steven Payne
Senior Field Research Officer
Wendy Lingard
Receptionist