At the heart of the Bioeconomy Science Institute is a dedicated group of leaders who bring strategic insight, scientific expertise, and a shared commitment to advancing our vision. Our leadership team and Board work together to guide the organisation’s scientific priorities and ensure operational excellence whilst creating lasting impact for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our leadership team

Yogesh Anand

Chief Digital Officer

Yogesh has more than 25 years’ experience in digital transformation, technology management, security and governance. He has worked in public and private sector organisations across the globe delivering digital transformation solutions, including the Inland Revenue Department, Bank for International Settlements in Switzerland and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

Roger Bourne

Chief Communications & Engagement Officer

A career advocate for innovation and the primary sector, Roger began his career as an agribusiness journalist before moving into corporate communications in 2005, first with HortResearch and then with Plant & Food Research in 2008. Over the past 17 years he has led teams across communications, marketing, strategy and customer experience, most recently as Director for Strategy Brand and Impacts.

Jolon Dyer

Chief Science Capability Officer

Jolon was previously Director of Science for Plant & Food Research, a role that saw him lead over 600 science staff. Jolon has more than 18 years’ experience in various roles focused on people and science leadership, including the roles of Science Group Leader (Food & Bio-Based Products) and Associate Research Director, Capability at AgResearch. Jolon has also gained significant national and international recognition for his science specialising in understanding and controlling protein modification and damage.

Dave Houlbrooke

Chief Science Capability Officer

Dave was previously Director Research Capability for AgResearch, a role that saw him lead over 450 science staff. Dave joined AgResearch in 2004, with research and extension focused on soil and water management of intensive pastoral farming.

Linda Johnson

Chief Scientist

Linda has had an extensive scientific and leadership career in New Zealand’s science system, including more than 23 years with AgResearch and the Bioeconomy Science Institute. Most recently she held the roles of Science Group Manager – Resilient Agriculture, and Principal Scientist, leading multidisciplinary research spanning plant, microbial and animal sciences, and providing strategic leadership across some of New Zealand’s most significant agricultural research programmes.

Quentin Smith

Chief Financial & Operations Officer

Quentin joined Plant & Food Research in 2018, with responsibility for the finance and legal functions and the management of property and information technology. Prior to this he spent 16 years working at McDonalds Restaurants (New Zealand) Limited in various roles across finance, operations and property.

James Stevenson-Wallace

Director Transformation

James joined Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research as Chief Executive Officer in 2022 after serving as Chief Executive of the Electricity Authority for 4 years. Prior to this, he held senior leadership roles in regulatory and advisory roles related to forestry, fisheries, petroleum and minerals resources.

Keri-Anne Tane

Chief People Officer

Keri-Anne is a values-based, human resource leader who has been part of significant, transformative culture and organisational change over 28 years in organisations including Mercy Hospital, Fletcher Steel, Unilever, OfficeMax, Scion, Te Pūkenga and more recently Plant & Food Research. Keri-Anne has whakapapa to Te Arawa (Ngati Rangiteaorere, Ngati Uenukukōpako) and Te Rarawa.

Stacey Whitiora

Chief Indigenous Innovation & Partnerships Officer

Stacey Whitiroa (Ngāti Mahuta ki te Hauāuru; Waikato; Tainui Waka, Kuki Airani) led the Māori Strategy, Partnerships and Enterprise team at Plant & Food Research from 2017, the first leadership team appointment specifically focused on building relationships with Māori stakeholders. She has more than 20 years’ experience including governance, strategy, policy and embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in large organisations.

Matt Wilson

Chief Commercialisation & Partnerships Officer

Matt is an experienced senior leader who has worked in Europe, Asia and Oceania in both developing and developed markets. He will be leading commercial strategy, building partnerships, and driving sustainable growth for the Bioeconomy Science Institute.

Our Board

Barry Harris

Chair

Barry was previously Chair of NIWA. He is a company director with extensive governance and executive experience. He has held a number of chief executive roles including Environment Waikato, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Hamilton City Council. He was also a senior executive with Fonterra for 5 years. Barry currently chairs McFall Fuel, Hamilton Airport Company and Wel Networks. Previous boards include DairyNZ, Primary ITO, CentrePort, RD1, AgResearch, International Nutritionals, Hamilton Riverside Hotels, OSPRI, Food Innovation Waikato and Local Authority Shared Services. Barry has a Masters of Agricultural Science (Honours).

Barry has very strong governance experience across both local and regional government, giving him a significant understanding of public accountability. He has developed leadership and stakeholder management skills from his wide variety of governance and executive roles, which also have imparted strategic understanding.

Kim Wallace

Deputy Chair

Kim was previously Chair of AgResearch. She is currently the Chair of Te Manawataki o Te Papa and is also serving as a member on the boards of the Port Nelson and Origin Capital Partners. Previous governance appointments include Quotable Value. Before pursuing a full-time career in governance in 2017, Ms Wallace had a 24-year career in the global dairy industry, which included working in senior executive roles based in New Zealand, USA, Germany and Australia. She is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors and a member of Global Women.

She brings significant audit and risk experience, and experience in capital programmes and asset management.

Gray Baldwin

Director

Gray was previously on the Board of Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. He is currently a director of the Alliance Group, Trinity Lands, and Farmlands. He previously held senior management and executive roles for BNZ Agri, Carter Holt Harvey and Summit Quinphos. His past co-op governance roles include nine years with Ballance and ten years with Livestock Improvement (LIC).

Gray has a deep governance and commercial focus, experience in agribusiness and proven ability to deliver on outcomes. He has deep experience leading scientists to commercialise research for economic benefit. Gray also brings significant connections and credibility within the primary sector.

Candace Kinser

Director

Candace was previously a director of Plant & Food Research. She is a seasoned director and business leader with a strong track record in governance, commercialisation, and leadership across science, technology, health and primary industries sectors.

She currently serves on the University of Auckland Council of Governors and is the President/Chair of the Cancer Society Auckland/Northland.

She previously served on the boards of Livestock Improvement Corporation, Eastland Group, and WEL Networks and Chaired Helius Therapeutics. A former CEO of NZTech, where she launched TechWeek, and earlier led the global growth of successful genetics software firm Biomatters. She has also held senior roles with Palantir in New Zealand and led digital transformation at investment firm Jarden.

Candace brings deep expertise in technology strategy and scientific innovation with a governance style that is strategic, commercially astute, and impact focused.

Andrew Morrison

Director

Andrew was previously on the board of AgResearch. He is the Chair of Wool Research Organisation of NZ (WRONZ), Ovis Management LTD, and of the Environment Southlands Investment Subcommittee. He was the former Chair of both Beef and Lamb NZ, and the New Zealand Meat Board. He is a former Director of Ballance Agri Nutrients and has sat on the boards of two science consortiums, and Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium (PGGRC).

Andrew has extensive primary sector industry governance experience, business and commercial acumen, governance capability and experience in ensuring value for money on investments. He brings of primary and biological sector credibility to the Board.

Bruce Campbell

Director

Bruce is a Chartered Director and holds directorships with the New Zealand Winegrowers’ Research Centre, PHF Science, and Predator Free 2050 Limited. Previous governance roles include Horticulture New Zealand. He is an ecologist with a Doctor of Philosophy from The University of Sheffield and has previously served as Chief Operating Officer at Plant & Food Research and as a Science Leader at AgResearch. Bruce is a recipient of the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, the Prime Minister’s Science Prize, the Horticulture New Zealand Industry Service Award and the Royal Society of New Zealand Thomson Medal, recognising outstanding leadership in agricultural and horticultural science. He brings extensive experience in developing innovation strategies that link science and business to deliver benefits for prosperity, nature and people.

Louise Marsden

Director

Louise is a partner with Mafic, providing commercial and financial advice to government and the private sector on infrastructure and energy programmes. Prior experience has included financing, delivering and governing major infrastructure projects in New Zealand and across Europe. Other current governance roles include the Wellington Free Ambulance, and the Wellington Community Housing Provider, Te Toi Mahana. Louise is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Director with the Institute of Directors.