OVERVIEW

Sir Henry van der Heyden is a prominent New Zealand business leader and dairy farmer. He was educated at the University of Canterbury where he graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours.

He has received several notable honours and awards in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the dairy industry and agricultural sector in New Zealand and Australia, including being appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2007 (redesignated in 2009 as a Knight Companion), New Zealand Business person of the Year in 2007, New Zealand Chairman of the year in 2012, conferred with an honorary Doctor of Commerce by Lincoln University in 2011 and, in 2015, receiving the Rabobank Leadership Award, a prestigious trans-Tasman agri-leadership distinction.

APPROACH

Henry is known for his visionary leadership, his consistent focus and track record of achieving growth and delivering value creation for shareholders, for his ability to appoint and guide CEOs and Directors who, together, deliver transformational change, and for his ability to navigate highly complex stakeholder dynamics. Henry is known as a champion of the broader “New Zealand Inc.”

His passion and commitment to New Zealand has played a significant role in promoting New Zealand’s interests and industries worldwide for close to three decades.

CAREER HISTORY

As Chair of New Zealand Dairy Group (NZDG), Henry played a key role in the merger and integration of NZDG, Kiwi Dairies and the NZ Dairy Board to form Fonterra in 2001, a global dairy co-operative with revenues of around NZD18 billion. Upon formation, Fonterra became New Zealand’s largest company, eventually operating in 140 countries around the world. This industry consolidation was instrumental in driving New Zealand’s leadership position on the global dairy stage.

Henry served as Chair of Fonterra from 2002-2012, overseeing its growth and expansion into global markets during a critical period for the co-operative. His vision and engagement with stakeholders was pivotal in aligning over 10,500 farmers towards a common direction for Fonterra. Under his leadership, Fonterra introduced Trading Amongst Farmers and established a Shareholder’s Council.

In addition to his Chair role at Fonterra, Henry has previously been a Director of the New Zealand Stock Exchange, Chair of Auckland International Airport, Chair of Tainui Group Holdings and Chair of Rabobank Australia and Rabobank New Zealand.

He is currently Chair of Manuka SA, an Independent Director of Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs NZ, as well as a Director of a number of private entities.

PERSONAL

Proud of his parent’s Dutch heritage, Henry is married with four adult children. He enjoys guiding multiple family-owned businesses, bushwalking, fishing, watching cricket and rugby (especially the All Blacks) and enjoying his 13 grandchildren.