New Acting GM, Food and Textiles Group

Embargoed until midnight 9 June 2009

New Acting General Manager for AgResearch Food and Textiles Group

Providing leadership for AgResearch’s substantial capability and capacity in food and textiles research and development will be the focus for the new, Acting General Manager of the Institute’s Food and Textiles Science and Technology Group, Professor Warren McNabb.

He replaces Dr Robert Finch, who leaves after five years of service for a Chief Executive position.

Professor McNabb says that constant change is a reality, and this is especially the case with science in New Zealand. “So the new role will evolve, I am sure, to be one of leadership in a challenging and ever-changing climate,” he says. “With the pressure on the textiles industry, we need to be vigilant in maintaining the real economic value that our research and development adds to that industry.” “Whilst New Zealand’s food industry is more buoyant, it too remains underpinned by research and development that helps create valuable new products and reduce processing costs,” he says.

“We can’t just keep raising production levels because of finite land and other resources, and the adjacent need to reduce our environmental footprint, so further productivity growth in the food and textiles industries will require New Zealand firms to create more sophisticated, higher value products that will generate a greater and more sustained financial return to this country.”

Professor McNabb is an Eminent Scientist and was Section Manager of Food, Metabolism & Microbiology at AgResearch. He holds an appointment as a Massey University Adjunct Professor at the Riddet Institute.

AgResearch Chief Executive Dr Andrew West has welcomed this acting appointment.

“Professor McNabb is both a leader of scientists and a leading scientist in his own right. I am pleased that Warren has taken on this expanded role,” says Dr West.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to profoundly thank Dr Finch for his service to AgResearch. He is a complete professional, in his leadership, management and science, and I wish him well in his new role in the forestry sector”.

Photo of Professor Warren McNabb is available at http://www.agresearch.co.nz/media/warren-mcnabb.jpg

ENDS

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