Mt Cook Alpine Salmon, the country’s leading Freshwater King Salmon producer and exporter, has started the new year with the appointment of a new chief executive, Todd Grave.
Board chair Sir Bill English says the board is delighted to welcome a leader of Todd’s calibre to guide the company through its next phase of growth.
“Todd is an experienced CEO with deep expertise across New Zealand’s primary and food production sectors, having led teams and businesses in complex, fast-moving environments,” says English. “He brings a strong track record of driving growth and operational excellence, and has already spent significant time with our people, farms and processing operations.”
Todd joins Mt Cook Alpine Salmon after four years as chief executive of Meadow Mushrooms, New Zealand’s largest mushroom grower, and five years leading premium meat processor Blue Sky Meats. Prior to this, he spent almost a decade in senior marketing roles with Fonterra, based offshore.
“I’ve travelled extensively, but I’m a Southlander, and part of the appeal of this role was that it’s a Mainland-based business,” says Grave. “I was particularly drawn to just how unique Mt Cook Alpine Salmon’s proposition is. Growing salmon at scale in pure glacial waters – no one else can say that. And with demand continuing to outstrip supply across the sector, puts both us and the industry in a good position.”
Grave’s appointment comes as the company reports a record first quarter, following its strongest financial year to date, with revenue up 37% to $53.5 million. Its artisan salmon brand, Aoraki, was also the only producer to win awards for two products at the recent New Zealand Food Awards.
“I’ve certainly got my timing right,” says Grave, who has spent the last six weeks getting to know the business and its people.
“There is a very solid growth plan for the next five years and a strong team that’s starting to see the results of their hard work. The strong financial performance reflects many years working to strengthen the business and de-risk aspects of what is, by nature, a biological system. I think the company is now beginning to fulfil the vision that shareholders have had for a very long time.”
Aerial view of Lower Benmore Salmon Farm, one of Mt Cook Alpine Salmon’s five farms.
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon is the largest employer in Twizel and has sites in Queenstown, Timaru, and Christchurch.
“I’ll be based in Christchurch, but Queenstown is my second home, I have close family there, so I will be spending time in Queenstown as well. I feel fortunate to be able to work for a regional New Zealand company that’s already performing strongly and has an incredible global growth path ahead.”
Former CEO David Cole announced his retirement last year and says he’s pleased to hand the business over to such capable leadership.
“It’s been a privilege and honour to lead Mt Cook Alpine Salmon,” says Cole. “I’ve enjoyed transitioning the business to Todd. He totally understands the challenges of producing a premium primary product in New Zealand and I’m confident he will take the company to the next level.”
English paid tribute to Cole’s 12 years of exceptional service.
“David Cole’s steady leadership, resilience, and long-term vision have been fundamental in strengthening the company and turning it into the successful enterprise it is today. Under his stewardship, we have expanded our market presence and established ourselves as a leader in premium sustainable salmon production,” says English. “I extend our deepest gratitude to David for his outstanding contribution.”
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