AgResearch has appointed three Science and Technology General Managers to spearhead future science development in the company.

They are Dr Jimmy Suttie, Mark Ward, and Peter Benfell. 

The three form part of an executive management team working with AgResearch Chief Executive Dr Andy West to manage the company’s 1000–strong science teams. 

Dr West said the three new positions are key to the company going forward, allowing AgResearch to best manage and guide its world-leading scientists and science strategy The three will be responsible for the newly created internal science groups of Agriculture and Environment, Applied Biotechnology and Food and Health.

“These managers will be the front players in providing leadership to the science engine room in New Zealand’s largest Crown Research Institute, ensuring alignment of its research to strategic direction,” he said. 

They will be working closely with AgResearch’s key clients, and in particular ensuring AgResearch will provide the drive behind our recommitment to the pastoral sector and community.”

Dr Jimmy Suttie will take up the appointment of General Manager Science and Technology, Applied Biotechnologies, based at AgResearch Invermay near Dunedin.  Jimmy, already well known within the New Zealand deer industry, joined MAF based at Invermay in 1981 on a post-doctoral fellowship, after PhD studies at the University of Aberdeen on physiological studies of growth nutrition and reproduction in red deer stags.  He progressed from science to management, successfully managing AgResearch’s Food Science platform.  He will formally take up his new role on August 30.

Mark Ward has been successful in gaining the position of General Manager Science and Technology, Food and Health, based at Ruakura in Hamilton.  Mark was Science Leader of AgResearch’s Food Systems and Technologies platform. Prior to that he had worked in the diary industry, initially at Lactose NZ, followed by the Dairy Research Institute, and has been involved in both patent management and business development at Glaxo NZ.

Peter Benfell has been appointed to General Manager Science and Technology, Agriculture and Environment.  Peter, currently the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) Group Manager for Investment Operations, takes up his role in September and will be based at AgResearch’s Grasslands campus at Palmerston North.  Peter, who has spent his career in the field of research and development, has also been a General Manager in Science and Technology at the Geological and Nuclear Sciences CRI. 

AgResearch has appointed a new Commercial Services General Manager.

Dr Ian Boddy has already taken up this new position and is based at AgResearch’s Ruakura campus in Hamilton.

Dr Boddy, previously AgResearch Intellectual Property (IP) Manager for AgResearch, has been with the company’s business group for the last nine years, and brings to the position a wealth of industry, company and commercial knowledge.

His new role will be responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s commercial strategies, for the growth of contract research and development, and the commercialisation of the company’s IP portfolio.

AgResearch Chief Executive Dr Andy West is delighted with the appointment.

“Commercial development of our science and technology is a crucial role, and Ian is in a strong position to lead AgResearch’s team of business development managers to ensure that the company’s innovative science outputs are transferred effectively to the marketplace,” Dr West said.

“Dr Boddy is enthusiastic about his new role, and is looking forward to continuing his partnership with AgResearch’s science teams, developing strong relationships with various industries that we partner, and working with our individual commercial clients.”