Rabobank NZ new chairman

Date: 09.12.2016

Sir Henry van der Heyden

Sir Henry van der Heyden

Sir Henry van der Heyden succeeds John Palmer as Rabobank NZ chariman

Sir Henry van der Heyden is the new chairman of Rabobank New Zealand Limited, succeeding John Palmer who has retired from the board.

The world's leading specialist food and agribusiness bank, Rabobank is one of New Zealand's largest rural lenders.

"As a country with a very significant food and agribusiness sector and strong global growth prospects, New Zealand is an important market for Rabobank's international operations," says international chairman Wiebe Draijer.

He says the bank was fortunate to have an experienced agribusiness leader and seasoned company director of Sir Henry's calibre take over the chairmanship of Rabobank's New Zealand operations.

The former chair of global co-operative dairy giant, Fonterra, Sir Henry has been a director of Rabobank New Zealand since 2012.

"Sir Henry van der Heyden is one of the most experienced and respected agribusiness industry leaders and company directors in the country. His knowledge and understanding of the agricultural sector and wider business environment, both in New Zealand and globally, is unparalleled."

Sir Henry was named 2007 New Zealand Herald Business Person of the Year, 2012 New Zealand Chairman of the Year, and received the trans-Tasman Rabobank Agribusiness Leadership Award in 2015. In 2007, he was appointed a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to agriculture.

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