Mark Piper has been appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive of the New Zealand Institute for Bioeconomy Science (Bioeconomy Science Institute).
The new Institute will amalgamate AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion into a single organisation, conducting research.
Its aims will be to
- advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, forestry, biotechnology and manufacturing;
- protect and enhance ecosystems from biosecurity threats and climate risks; and
- develop new bio-based technologies and products.
The combined Institute brings together more than 2200 employees, including 1440 research staff.
Mr Piper, now the CEO of Plant & Food Research, will take up the new position on the formation of the new Institute on 1 July.
He will work with the CEOs of the other three CRIs involved in the merger to provide continuity and deliver on collective initiatives to support integration.
From 1 July the CEOs will continue to lead their current organisations as groups within the amalgamated Bioeconomy Science Institute as the new operating model for the Bioeconomy Science Institute is developed.
Before joining Plant & Food Research in 2023, Mr Piper was at Fonterra Cooperative Group, where he spent his last five years as Director Research & Development, Category Marketing & Strategy.
During his 30 years with Fonterra Mr Piper held roles based in New Zealand and internationally. This included three years in Japan in a technical role focused on growth and customer engagement, and five years in the USA where he was the Regional Director for Fonterra Americas, based in Chicago.
The Board intends to initiate an external search process to appoint a permanent CEO within the next twelve months.
Source: AgResearch
