Hemp New Zealand chief executive Dave Jordan said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of local Tauranga-based Dr Wayne Beilby as the new Hemp New Zealand board chair.”
Beilby brings extensive management and governance experience in the financial services industry, both in New Zealand and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. For 15 years, he was part of the executive leadership team for Tower Insurance, including as chief executive of Tower in Papua New Guinea.
Beilby is managing director of Pacific Advisory Services, a company that provides consultancy advice in a number of areas including governance and risk and asset management. He has a doctorate in corporate governance from Southern Cross University, NSW, Australia and is a lawyer by profession.
Beilby has provided legal and governance advice to companies in New Zealand and overseas, and to some of New Zealand’s largest Māori incorporations and trusts. He is currently an adviser and non-executive independent director to PMG Funds Tauranga.
Founded in 2009, HNZ is New Zealand’s most established and largest grower, processor, and supplier of hemp products. Its trading entity, Hemp Farm New Zealand Ltd was established in 2011 together with its HempFarm brand of retail products, bulk ingredients and Growers Group.
HNZ is also a 33% shareholder in Christchurch based NZ Natural Fibres, which will see New Zealand’s first-ever hemp decortication plant in operation next month, producing hemp and wool/hemp non-woven fabrics, yarns and composites.
“This role is a hugely exciting one for me as I can see the opportunity for Hemp New Zealand to make a significant contribution to our country’s environmental goals, community health, business and employment growth, and long-term export earnings,” Beilby said.