New chief executive for New Zealand co-op apex body

New Zealand’s co-operative apex organisation has appointed a Craig Presland as its new chief executive, replacing Ian Macintosh, who has semi-retired. Cooperative Business New Zealand represents 50 co-ops...

New Zealand’s co-operative apex organisation has appointed a Craig Presland as its new chief executive, replacing Ian Macintosh, who has semi-retired.

Cooperative Business New Zealand represents 50 co-ops across the country, from a variety of sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, insurance, financial services, utilities, pharmaceuticals, education, health and retail.

With a combined turnover of NZD$41bn a year, co-ops account for almost a fifth of New Zealand’s gross domestic product and employ 43,000 people.

Craig Presland
Craig Presland

Chair Jonathan Lee said: “Craig is a great acquisition for our organisation and for the sector, and we are excited about the opportunities for the year ahead as he works to strengthen our member value proposition, as well as identify new opportunities to promote this very successful business model.”

Mr Presland, who will spend his first few weeks in the post meeting members, comes with years of experience at different organisations, such as ABC Development Learning Centres, International SOS, healthAlliance and Emery Worldwide. He also worked for Northland Co-operative Dairy Company from 1985 to 1997 and has held positions in international marketing roles and finance.

Current chair of Parnell Cricket Club, between 2012 and 2014 he was New Zealand Cricket’s chief operating officer, when he led the restructure and relocation of support services to Auckland, as well as the administration of an extensive governance review.

“I am passionate about the co-operative business model and its key principles,” he said. “I will represent, support and promote this model across the wider New Zealand business sector.

“Over the next few weeks I am planning on visiting as many of our members as possible and I look forward to better understanding your respective businesses, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

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