Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors has up to 11 members - seven elected from our Shareholder base and four appointed by the Board and approved by our Shareholders at the Annual Meeting. 
The Appointed Directors are selected to ensure our Board has the appropriate skills competencies to lead our organisation effectively. The perspectives and experience they bring to Board complement the industry knowledge and other expertise provided by our Elected Directors. 

As the Elected Directors must have a shareholding interest, they will have a supplier relationship with Fonterra and generally will not be classified as independent under best practice definitions.

The Appointed Directors generally meet the NZX criteria for independence and are expected by Fonterra to maintain independence for the length of their term. All Directors comply with the legislative requirements for disclosing interests and with Fonterra's in-house Securities Code of Conduct which regulates both Directors and management in their personal dealings with Fonterra securities and those related companies. Fonterra does not have executive Directors.

The Board's role


Our Board is responsible for leadership, direction and oversight of Fonterra. It is accountable to our Shareholders for the overall performance of the Co-operative. Specific functions of the Board include:

  • Review of the dividend policy and declaration of the interim and final dividend. 
  • Declaration of the Farmgate Milk Price and Distribution Profit.
  • Declaration of the actual Co-operative share price from the commencement of each season (the Fair Value Share price). 
  • Reviewing and approving the Group strategy and business plans. 
  • Appointing the CEO and reviewing the CEO's performance.
  • Delegating authority to management, and monitoring the exercise of that authority. 
  • Engaging in the development of the strategic plan and setting the strategy for the Group and for the major business units within the Group. 
  • Approving significant acquisitions and disposals outside management's delegated authorities.
  • Overseeing the Board Committees and the areas covered by each of those Committees.

Our Board and management team have developed systems that reflect Fonterra’s unique characteristics and requirements as a New Zealand-based co-operative.

Peter McBride

Elected Director, Chairman

Clinton Dines

Appointed Director

Brent Goldsack

Elected Director

Leonie Guiney

Elected Director

Bruce Hassall

Appointed Director

Cathy Quinn

Elected Director

Holly Kramer

Appointed Director

Scott St John

Appointed Director

Andy Macfarlane

Elected Director

Alison Watters

Elected Director

John Nicholls

Elected Director