Sanford appoints new chief financial officer

This is a supplied media release.

New Zealand seafood company Sanford Limited has appointed a new chief financial officer, Katherine Turner.

Shee joins Sanford after 12 years with Fonterra as a highly experienced finance executive and leader. Her most recent role has been commercial director for Fonterra Brands Ltd, New Zealand’s largest FMCG business with a number of leading dairy brands.

MS Turner also has significant international experience in food. Prior to joining Fonterra, Katherine spent nine years with the global dairy company Danone in various finance roles in both New Zealand and France. She started her Danone career in New Zealand with snack-food and biscuits company Griffins Foods Ltd.

Sanford chief executive Volker Kuntzsch says he is delighted Katherine will be joining the team.

“Katherine shares our vision and ambition: to become the best seafood company in the world. She will be a great contributor to that, as we continue to evolve our culture and focus on innovation and care, bringing out the best in the beautiful New Zealand seafood we catch and harvest. Katherine has impressed both me and our board with her energy, experience and ability and we are excited by what she will bring to the role.”

Ms Turner says she is a firm believer in Sanford’s vision and is looking forward to being part of Sanford’s ongoing development.

“I am passionate about leading change through others and am inspired by seeing the teams I work with develop and grow. I have heard only good things about the finance team at Sanford and I look forward to working with a high performance team. It is also exciting to join Sanford at a time when there are many significant projects underway to transform and grow the business. There are clearly many challenges and plenty of fun ahead.”

Ms Turner and her previous teams have great experience of meeting significant challenges. She was recognised for that in 2016 at the CFO Awards where her finance team was the winner of the CA ANZ Finance team of the year award.

She is a graduate of the University of Auckland, an ANZ chartered accountant and a member of the NZ Institute of Directors.

She will take up the role at Sanford in September. Acting chief financial officer Stuart Houliston, who has very capably filled the role temporarily, will continue in the position till then.