In memoriam

The news this week that Craig Norgate, the first CEO of Fonterra, has passed away at the age of 50 here in the UK, is upsetting. As chief executive of the Kiwi dairy-co-operative, he was instrumental in helping to turn Fonterra from an collection of two dairy companies – Kiwi and The Dairy Group – and the New Zealand Dairy Board, into the fully functioning dairy giant we in the dairy industry know today. He headed the dairy exporter for two years, from 2001 to 2003.

Later, he went on to help merge Australia and New Zealand’s chartered accountants organisations and also worked to consolidate the rural servicing industry through PGG Wrightson.

Fonterra chairman John Wilson notes, “Craig played a key role in the formation of Fonterra and made a significant contribution to the co-operative as our first CEO, helping bring together key players in the New Zealand dairy industry with the strategic vision he was known for. He remained a close and trusted friend and mentor to many of our people.”
Current work in the dairy is very often built while standing on the shoulders of giants. Norgate was the right person at the right time, and Fonterra’s success rests solidly in its beginnings, of which he was a vital part.

Our thoughts go out to his family at this time.