News & Advice

Ravensdown shareholders have elected Jane Montgomery and Kate Acland to the Ravensdown Board for three-year terms.

Bruce Wills, Ravensdown Chair, said this year’s election has generated a strong level of interest among shareholders, with more than 21% of the co-operative's transacting shareholders voting.

“Both Jane and Kate bring strong governance experience and a deep understanding of New Zealand agriculture and the challenges and opportunities we face.”

Re-elected to the board for a third term, Jane Montgomery has extensive hands-on farming experience across several sectors. She co-owns a dairy grazing and horticulture property in North Canterbury and, with her husband, operates a sheep and beef farm in South Otago and a value-added farm product business. 

Jane has served on the Ravensdown Board for six years, contributing to the governance of the co-operative through a period of significant market and supply-chain challenges. She is a member of the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee and the Appointments and Remuneration Committee, and chairs a Special Project Working Group. Jane is also Chair of Future of Fibre Aotearoa and has previously held governance roles with the J R McKenzie Trust and AgResearch, where she was an Associate Director.

Newly elected to the Ravensdown Board, Kate Acland is a farmer, business owner and experienced director. Together with her husband David and their family, she owns and operates Mt Somers Station, a diversified 3,800-hectare Mid Canterbury farming business spanning sheep, beef, dairy and honey. She also founded Sugar Loaf Wines, a Marlborough vineyard, winery and export business supplying 22 international markets.

Kate is Chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the New Zealand Meat Board, and a director of the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand. She was previously a director of farmer supply co-operative Ashburton Trading Society, trading as Ruralco.

Bruce also paid tribute to outgoing Director Mike Davey, who decided not to seek re-election at the end of his term.

“Mike has made a significant contribution over many years, both to Ravensdown and to the wider fertiliser industry. During his five years on the Ravensdown Board, his deep industry knowledge, passion for the co-operative and thoughtful approach to governance have been greatly valued.

“On behalf of the Board, I thank Mike for his long-standing service and commitment and wish him all the very best for the future.”

“Thank you too, to Stuart Taylor for his participation in this year’s closely contested Director Election.

“Throughout the election period, it was heartening to witness such a high calibre of candidates express their interest in the performance and direction of Ravensdown.”

As a standing Director, Jane is automatically reappointed to the Board.  Kate will take up office after Ravensdown’s 2026 Annual Meeting at 1pm on Thursday.