New NZFSSRC Board Member: Scott Champion

Giselle Byrnes, Provost Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, and Collier Isaacs, Board Chair, are delighted to announce that Scott Champion, Founding Partner of Primary Purpose, will join the Board of the New Zealand Food Safety Science & Research Centre (the Centre).

From 1 January 2025, the Centre will have a new three-way agreement with Massey University, NZ Food Safety (MPI) and our NZ food industry partners co-investing in a tripartite funding model. Scott will join the Board as one of five independent directors, including two with knowledge of Te Ao Māori and representatives from Massey University and MPI-NZ Food Safety.

Centre staff and associates are familiar with Scott as facilitator of the Centre’s strategy sessions and future forums but may be unaware of his science credentials and just how experienced he is with the NZ food industry.

Born and raised in Sydney, Scott has a PhD in ruminant nutrition and wool science from the University of New South Wales and came to New Zealand to work in research development and product innovation for the NZ Merino Company.  Staying in New Zealand, Scott went on to become Chief Executive Officer of Beef + Lamb New Zealand and was concurrently Chief Executive of the New Zealand Meat Board.  In total, he spent 10 years (until 2016) in the sheep and beef industry and knows just how critical food safety is to New Zealand’s reputation and ability to export. 

In 2017 he co-founded the consultancy practice Primary Purpose, drawing on his experience in the primary sector, and now works across all of the food and fibre industries.  He chairs three crown-industry research and development co-investments focused on sheep genetics, agricultural nutrients, and venison exports to North America.

Scott is also Programme Director for the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme, which focuses on developing early-mid career professionals working 'hands-on' as farmers and growers or in the food and fibre service sector. The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme has developed over 1000 participants since commencement in 1979.