Seed bodies fill new joint CEO role

Sarah Clark has been appointed to the new role of chief executive to head both Seed and Grain New Zealand and the NZ Plant Breeding and Research Association.

Clark will join the seed industry from her role at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) where she has headed up responsibilities within both plant imports and plant exports over her 14-year tenure. 

Seed and Grain NZ (SGNZ) chair Charlotte Connoley said the industry group is confident the appointment will bring a fresh perspective to their strategy while providing the necessary understanding and experience to support the seed office team on matters related to the import, export and trade of seed.

“Sarah is well known as a key contact for the seed and grain industry within her current role with MPI. 

“Her experience in plant exports and plant imports, biosecurity, and her commercial understanding will be critical for the industry as we face a heavy programme of regulatory review now and into the future.” 

Connoley said the government is planning to change NZ’s gene technology regulations and the industry will need to discuss potential impacts of this change. 

“With a PhD in biochemistry, Sarah’s knowledge of gene technologies and ability to represent the potentially differing viewpoints of our membership to achieve co-existence, is another key strength of this appointment. 

“The key relationships Sarah has cultivated within government agencies as well as associated primary industry bodies will support our ongoing commitment to working collaboratively to represent the seed industry.” 

Alongside SGNZ, Clark will head up the NZ Plant Breeding and Research Association. 

Chair John Caradus said the association is excited by the appointment of a “respected leader to support companies representing NZ’s leading forage and cereal breeders and endophyte developers”.

Originally from a farming background in the South Island, Clark welcomes the opportunity to represent a primary industry organisation at a time when responding to the regulatory environment requires a strong understanding of the process and policy to gain the best outcomes for the continued trade of seed. 

“I am excited to support the members of SGNZ and better understand the issues of the day to ensure appropriate representation,” she said. 

“SGNZ is a stand-out organisation for the professional way it represents its industry and the collaborative way it interacts with regulators and associated industry bodies to solve problems and get better outcomes for members.  

“Ensuring the associations continue as fit for purpose is a key objective, so we can seize opportunities, effectively deal with challenges, and provide a strong value proposition to members.” 

Clark will take up the appointment in January 2025, following the retirement of the association’s general manager, Thomas Chin.