Sustainability scientist, Dr Prue Williams, has been
appointed Crop & Food Research’s new General Manager Research.
Dr Williams has been caretaking the position since the loss of
Dr Desma Hogg and seven others in a recent air accident.
Previously, Dr Williams led the institute’s sustainable
productive environments science team and was a founding
researcher in soil science when the crown research institute was
established 11 years ago.
Crop & Food Research chief executive, Paul Tocker, said Dr
Williams had outstanding capabilities as a scientist and a
science team leader. "I am very pleased we are able to draw on
the depth of talent within our institute in appointing Prue to
this critical area, and I know she will ably carry on the
forward momentum created by Desma."
"Prue has shown her ability to retain a science focus while
managing, building and developing a commercially successful
science team."
Dr Williams has also recently been appointed under the European
Commission 6th Framework for Research to evaluate research on
food, production systems and the environment, including food
from low input and organic production systems.
Dr Bill Griffin has also been appointed to the new position of
Deputy General Manager Research. As well as sharing areas of
responsibility in the sizable research management role, Dr
Griffin will retain his position as leader of the institute’s
Crop Improvement science team.
Crop & Food Research has appointed Dr Chris Downs as
General Manager Strategy.
Dr Downs previously held a management role in Crop & Food
Research, leading both the institute’s Nutrition and Health team
at Palmerston North, and being a business manager.
He takes up the General Manager Strategy position from 1 July,
carrying on the work of Katherine Carman, one of those lost in a
recent air accident.
Crop & Food Research chief executive, Paul Tocker, said Dr Downs
had grown and developed the science capability of his team,
which was now recognised nationally and internationally.
"Chris combines considerable strengths in strategic thinking
with a strong commitment to his new role.
"As General Manager Strategy he will manage and develop the very
important Public Good Science Fund portfolio while guiding Crop
& Food Research’s science strategy within New Zealand and
offshore, and our ability to be in science areas with future
commercial value."
Mr Tocker said it was satisfying to be able to appoint a second
internal candidate of such high calibre into an important senior
management role.
Dr Downs holds a PhD in protein biochemistry from Macquarie
University, Sydney, and joined Crop & Food Research in 1995,
working in both science and business.
