Mr Body has successfully led the Ruralco board for the past two years and served as a director since 2011.
In that time, he initiated and led a full governance review leading to an overhaul of the board function, rebrand of the business, reorganisation of senior management and a return to profitability.
He also chaired the joint venture with Ravensdown that saw the creation of the Ruralco brand.
The Ruralco board acknowledges the significant contribution Mr Body has made over eight years of service and his infectious passion for Ruralco and the members it serves.
He has agreed to continue to support the business until June 30, after which he will retire from the board.
The board has appointed Jessie Chan-Dorman as chair elect and Mr Body will aid in her succession.
Mrs Chan-Dorman has served with distinction on the Ruralco Board since 2013 and chairs the risk committee. When she is formally appointed as chair in June of this year, she will become the first female chair of a major New Zealand agribusiness co-op.
The 2018 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, she and her husband Hayden lease 420 hectares and milk 850 cows at Dorie on the south side of the Rakaia River in Canterbury.
Last year, she attended the Te Hono Stanford Bootcamp at Stanford University in California focused on improving the competitiveness of New Zealand’s primary sector on the world stage. She has an honours degree from Massey University in animal science and has worked in various roles across policy and research and development, before becoming a farmer and business leader.
The board looks forward to continuing to grow the business under her leadership.
