Dan Mathieson is the man tasked with leading Zespri towards the goal of NZ$4.5bn in international sales by 2025.
The long-serving Zespri executive has been appointed the kiwifruit marketer’s new chief executive, taking over from Lain Jager with immediate effect.
Mathieson will base himself between Zespri’s head office in New Zealand and the company’s sales and marketing hub in Singapore.
“Our industry is the heart of everything we do and I realise the huge importance of working closely with New Zealand growers and industry leaders and I will spend substantial time at Zespri’s head office in Mount Maunganui,” said Mathieson. “A strong and empowered New Zealand executive will also play a key role in maintaining these strong industry relationships.
Mathieson joined Zespri Japan as a member of the operations team in 2003, having previously worked in Tokyo for Omron and NEC in corporate communications, international marketing and project management roles.
Over the past 15 years, Mathieson has helped lead the development of Zespri’s business in Asia, serving as the marketing manager for South Korea and later Southeast Asia, among other roles.
In January 2013 he was appointed president of global sales and marketing in Tokyo, before moving to Singapore in 2015 to head up Zespri’s global sales and marketing hub.
Zespri chairman Peter McBride said Mathieson’s appointment was the “logical evolution” of Zespri’s strategy to grow market demand and create value for its customers.
“In his time leading our sales and marketing operations and offshore markets, Dan has successfully delivered a demand-led strategy, growing mature markets and diversifying into new markets. Our sales and marketing function has developed significantly under his leadership, with an increased focus on consumer insight, distributor and retailer relationships, and marketing excellence,” explained McBride.
“I am confident he will lead Zespri well and deliver growth and increasing value for our industry and shareholders, building on the strong legacy that Lain Jager leaves behind.”
Jager announced his plans to step down from the role 12 months ago, with Zespri beginning its search for his replacement earlier this year.
