Zespri, a New Zealand-based kiwi fruit grower, has appointed Jason Te Brake as its new CEO, effective from 1 July. Te Brake will take over from outgoing CEO Daniel Mathieson, who is set to become the president of the Americas division of California-based berry group, Driscoll’s. Mathieson, who has been with Zespri for over two decades and served as CEO for seven years, announced his departure in January.
Upon his appointment, Te Brake praised Mathieson for his leadership in turning Zespri into a world-class sales and marketing organization. He emphasized the value that Mathieson brought to the growers and communities associated with the company.
Zespri conducted an extensive international search before selecting Te Brake for the role. Te Brake joined Zespri in 2020 and has since held various positions within the company, including acting chief global supply officer and chief operating officer. He has been instrumental in managing Zespri’s supply chain and has a background in the agri-food industry, having worked with companies like AFFCO, ANZCO, and Miraka.
Te Brake expressed his focus on capturing demand opportunities, strengthening the supply chain, and maximizing value for growers. He highlighted the industry’s success, crediting it to quality people, a top-tier product, strategic innovation, and collaborative problem-solving.
Nathan Flowerday, chairman of the board, commended Te Brake for his commercial acumen and stakeholder management skills. Flowerday believes Te Brake’s strategic vision and operational expertise will help Zespri realize its potential and meet market demands effectively.
Zespri, headquartered in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, produces popular kiwifruit brands like Zespri Green, RubyRed, and SunGold. The cooperative works with growers both in New Zealand and internationally and is fully owned by current and former kiwifruit growers. Its global team spans across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
In its latest fiscal results for 2024, Zespri reported a global operating revenue of NZ$4.21bn ($2.56bn) and supplied 164.2m trays of kiwifruit to over 50 markets. The company continues to thrive in the food and beverage industry by delivering quality products and maintaining strong partnerships with growers worldwide.
