Freshpork has announced the appointment of a new independent director, Mark Hamilton, to join the company’s board.

Established in 1985, Freshpork is the country’s leading pork processor and wholesaler, processing approximately 40 per cent of New Zealand’s pig production and employing over 170 staff. Freshpork is a family owned company, with offices in Christchurch and Auckland and processing and distribution facilities in both the North and South Islands.

Freshpork chairman Bruce Matheson says Mark Hamilton has a comprehensive understanding of the New Zealand grocery, retail, hospitality, food service and export market development sectors.

“In particular, Mark brings significant experience in the FMCG sector both in New Zealand and overseas,” says Bruce Matheson.

“He has demonstrated strong leadership in manufacturing, supply chain and people-safety focused organisations and maintains extensive industry networks.”

The former head of BrewGroup Ltd, previously Bell Tea & Coffee Company Ltd, Mark is an experienced independent director. Recently retiring from the New Zealand Food & Grocery Council board, he holds current directorships with Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) New Zealand, a global coffee and tea company, Rugby Imports Ltd, a leading supplier of rugby apparel and equipment to the US, and Epicurean Dairy Ltd, an internationally focused diary producer.

“We know Mark will bring significant value to our organisation, our people and all those we do business with,” says Bruce Matheson.

Mr Matheson says Mark’s appointment adds further governance strength and experience to the business as Freshpork’s founding shareholder Denver Glass moves to focus more on strategy and projects.

“Denver, along with his family, has been instrumental in building the company from a small farm to New Zealand’s leading processor and marketer of pork products,” says Bruce Matheson.

“His skills and experience still form a vital part of the culture, growth and success of Freshpork.”

“With the appointment of someone of Mark’s calibre, the expertise Denver brings to the business and the capabilities of our wider team, we look forward to ushering in a new era of growth and success for Freshpork.”