Rangitīkei farmer and business-owner Sophie Henderson has been appointed an associate director for Ovis Management Limited, the organisation promoting the control of sheep measles.
Ovis chair Andrew Morrison said Henderson brings to the board a wide range of business skills across active farming, brand development and project management.
“This is a great opportunity for Sophie to work with one of New Zealand’s unique not-for-profit organisations, solely charged with monitoring and educating farmers and industry on best practice sheep measles control.”
Owned by the Meat Industry Association, the non-regulatory, cross-industry collaboration programme has been operating for almost 30 years. It captures ovis infection rates at the processing plant and then progresses education programmes to protect NZ’s $11 billion red meat processing and export sector.
“We had a huge amount of interest in the associate director role, and it is encouraging to see the depth of skills, talent and commitment from those willing to serve their sector,” Morrison said.
In addition to her farming experience, Henderson owns brand development business Foster Ideas.
Henderson is passionate about the food and fibre sector and is looking forward to joining the Ovis team.
“I’m really excited to take on the role and gain some real world experience around a board table.
“Ovis is such an interesting organisation in terms of biosecurity at a farmgate level, and the success that it’s had in terms of a voluntary programme is really positive.
“I’m looking forward to understanding more about the plans for the programme and how it contributes to the overall success of the NZ red meat story in export markets,” Henderson said.
