Meet the winners of our prestigious awards
Volker Kuntzsch
Leadership Award recipient 2019
The CEO of New Zealand's largest seafood company, Sanford, took out the flagship 2019 Rabobank Leadership Award - which recognises outstanding senior leadership in the food and agribusiness industries across New Zealand and Australia.
Mat Hocken
Leadership Award recipient 2019
Director of Grassmere Dairy based in Manawatu, Mat Hocken, took out the 2019 Rabobank Emerging Leader Award - which recognises an up and coming leader who has made a significant contribution to the sector early on in their career.
Jim Geltch AM
Leadership Award recipient 2018
The CEO of Nuffield International Jim Geltch took out the 2018 Rabobank Leadership Award, recognising his “fundamentally important” role in developing upcoming leadership.
Anna Speer
Emerging Leader Award recipient 2018
Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) Chief Operating Officer Anna Speer was recognised as a trailblazer with vast potential in the food and agribusiness sector.
David Crombie AM
Leadership Award recipient 2017
Australian beef industry leader David Crombie took out the 2017 Rabobank Leadership Award, in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to agribusiness.
Nathan Free
Emerging Leader Award recipient 2017
Organic farmer Nathan Free received the 2017 Rabobank Emerging Leader Award, recognising exceptional up-and-coming leadership in Australia and New Zealand's food and agribusiness industries.
Sir Graeme Harrison
Leadership Award recipient 2016
Sir Graeme Harrison is the founder and chair of one of New Zealand's largest exporters, ANZCO Foods. He was awarded the 2016 Rabobank Leadership Award in recognition of his contribution to the food and agribusiness sectors.
Jan Vydra
Emerging Leader Award recipient 2016
Entrepreneur and co-founder of one of Australia's leading herb businesses, Jan Vydra received the 2016 Rabobank Emerging Leader Award, recognising exceptional up-and-coming leadership in Australia and New Zealand's food and agribusiness industries.
Sir Henry van der Heyden
Leadership Award recipient 2015
New Zealand business leader and dairy industry identity Sir Henry van der Heyden has received the 2015 Rabobank Leadership Award, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the food and agribusiness sectors.
Zachary Caudo
Emerging Leader Award recipient 2015
Viticulturist Zachary Caudo, from South Australia’s Riverland has been award the 2015 Rabobank Emerging Leadership Award which recognises exceptional up-and-coming leadership in Australia and New Zealand’s food and agribusiness industries.
Mick Keogh
Leadership Award recipient 2014
Australian Farm Institute (AFI) Executive Director Mick Keogh has been named the recipient of the 2014 Rabobank Leadership Award, recognised for his outstanding contribution to Australia and New Zealand’s food and agribusiness sectors.
Bryce Camm
Emerging Leader Award recipient 2014
The 2014 winner of the Rabobank Emerging leader Award was Bryce Camm, Darling Downs beef producer Bryce Camm has received the 2014 Rabobank Emerging Leadership Award, acknowledging exceptional up-and-coming leadership in Australia and New Zealand’s food and agribusiness industries.
Sir George Fistonich
Leadership Award recipient 2013
The 2013 winner of the Rabobank leadership Award was Sir George Fistonich, the founder and owner of Villa Maria Estate. In a career spanning 50 years, George Fistonich has exemplified true leadership along with an extraordinary passion for the New Zealand wine industry.
Georgie Aley
Emerging Leader Award recipient 2013
The 2013 winner of the Rabobank Emerging Leader Award was Georgie Aley, managing director of the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council. She was also a driving force of the Future Farmers Network, the only national youth agricultural organisation in Australia.
Dr Jim Peacock
Leadership Award recipient 2012
Dr Jim Peacock AC, Australia’s former Chief Scientist and currently Fellow and Chair of CSIRO’s Office of the Chief Executive Science Team and Distinguished Professor at the University of Technology Sydney.
Barry Irvin
Leadership Award recipient 2011
Barry Irvin is executive Chairman of Bega Cheese, chairs the Sydney based charity Giant Steps and is a member of the Order of Australia (AM). His leadership of the business since he joined in 2000 has been nothing short of inspirational.
Dr Bruce Lee
Leadership Award recipient 2010
Dr Bruce Lee is the Director of the CSIRO Food Futures Flagship. The Food Futures Flagship is a collaboration between the CSIRO, industry and research partners.
Robert Hill Smith
Leadership Award recipient 2009
Robert Hill Smith was chosen for the Rabobank Leadership Award for his achievements and commitment both to his business and to environmental and social concerns.
Nick Burton Taylor
Leadership Award recipient 2008
Nick Burton Taylor is a substantial pastoralist, a career businessman, and a highly respected Chairman and Director across a range of industries.
Max Ould
Leadership Award recipient 2007
Max Ould was Managing Director of National Foods between 1996 and 2003. Over the years, he has assisted Government thinking in many food and agribusiness sectors.
John Watson
Leadership Award recipient 2006
John McLean led the Warnambool Cheese and Butter Factory for over 30 years, transforming it from a small factory to an internationally competitive company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
John McLean
Leadership Award recipient 2004
John McLean led the Warnambool Cheese and Butter Factory for over 30 years, transforming it from a small factory to an internationally competitive company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
Donald McGauchie AO
Leadership Award recipient 2001
Donald McGauchie has been an important leader in Australian grain industry. He was a key driver in the establishment and funding of the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
Allan McCallum
Leadership Award recipient 2000
Allan McCallum has shown industry leadership on national agribusiness issues over the last 20 years with a number of representative roles in the agricultural sector.
Douglas Rathbone
Leadership Award recipient 1999
Douglas Rathbone has led Nufarm in the development and provision of solutions that help farmers maximise yield and face the global challenge of meeting increasing food demands.