Iain Abercrombie appointed Chief Executive

15 September 2008

The Chair of Wool Partners International, Theresa Gattung, has today announced the appointment of Iain Abercrombie as Chief Executive Officer.

Wool Partners International Limited is the registered name for the organisation that is creating a new industry platform for New Zealand woolgrowers, and was provisionally named ‘The Wool Company’. The new name applies from today.

Ms Gattung said the new name reflected the scope and purpose of the company, and its mission to work collaboratively with the global wool industry.

Mr Abercrombie, born and educated in New Zealand, has had an international marketing and business development career in the food and liquor industries in England, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. He was Managing Director Australia and New Zealand for liquor brands distributor Maxxium, and previously held a number of senior roles with the Lion Nathan group.

Ms Gattung said the Board was thrilled to have recruited a Chief Executive with high-level international experience and a strong track record of success. “Iain is a proven achiever in marketing and business building, which makes him ideally suited to drive the next phase of development for Wool Partners International.”

Mr Abercrombie’s appointment is effective from Monday 6 October.

Mr Abercrombie said he was looking forward to the challenge and opportunity of rebuilding the market profile of New Zealand wool. “This is a critical time for growers and the rest of the industry. Wool Partners International has the vision and capabilities required to lift returns to a sustainable level, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead this effort.”

In addition to his career in the food and liquor industries, Mr Abercrombie has been closely associated with the All Blacks and the 1992 America’s Cup campaign. He was seconded from Lion Nathan in 1994 to rebuild the All Blacks Club, and did so by generating substantial new sponsorships and increasing membership from 1,900 to 33,000.

Mr Abercrombie graduated from Auckland University in Marine Biology in 1978 and with a Business degree in marketing and business administration in 1981. His early career included positions with Wattie Industries as senior brand manager, and as new product development manager for spices and flavourings manufacturer McCormick Foods in England.

Mr Abercrombie returned to New Zealand in 1991 to join Lion Nathan as Marketing Manager, later becoming Regional Director of the Central Brewing Division. From Lion Nathan, he joined Maxxium as Managing Director in New Zealand. Three years later he was appointed President of Maxxium’s Canadian operations. He later became Managing Director Australia & New Zealand.

Mr Abercrombie currently lives in Sydney with his wife and family. As Chief Executive of Wool Partners International, he will be based in Christchurch.

ENDS

© Scoop Media