Biosecurity organisation Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) has announced it will appoint Leanne Stewart as its new chief executive.
David Tanner, board chairman of KVH, said Stewart added a wealth of experience and knowledge in management of biosecurity risks, having worked in plant health for government, international and industry organisations.
“In her most recent role at Horticulture New Zealand, Leanne has been responsible for the biosecurity, food safety and regulatory portfolios and has strong collaborative relationships with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other primary industry groups,” Tanner said.
“We’re excited to have Leanne join us. She will be a great asset to the kiwifruit industry and the KVH team, as we continue the important work of stopping unwanted pests and diseases impacting on our orchards, businesses, and communities.”
Stewart said she is looked forward to joining what she sees as a leading and proactive biosecurity organisation.
“KVH is at the forefront of biosecurity innovation and creative new ways of working - from research and development, to lifting awareness and best practice with growers and the wider community, to the development of the proposed new way of managing risk pathways across the industry,” said Stewart.
“I find that incredibly exciting, particularly because the organisation works so closely with kiwifruit growers every day and has such great support. I know that growers care about the success of the industry and want to be involved in biosecurity – that is special, and I look forward to being part of it too.”
Currently the deputy chief executive of Horticulture New Zealand and general manager of Process Vegetables New Zealand, Stewart had previous roles in MPI working in the import regulatory space and the International Plant Protection Convention in Rome, where she reviewed global implementation of the international agreement and standards.
Stewart will commence at KVH on 31 May. She replaces Stu Hutchings, who announced in January that he would be leaving KVH to take up the role of chief biosecurity officer of Biosecurity New Zealand.
