Governance
Spring Sheep has expertise across farming, genetics, supply chain management, product development, and sales & marketing.
An executive team with depth and passion
Nick Hammond
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CO-FOUNDER
Nick is the CEO and Co-Founder of Spring Sheep Milk Co., assuming the role in 2021. A natural leader and innovator, he has propelled Spring Sheep Milk Co. from startup to a thriving business with his strong business acumen. Nick is both a Chartered Accountant and Lawyer, recognized nationally for his innovative contributions.
Thomas Macdonald
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Thomas has been an integral part of Spring Sheep since its inception, driving innovation for our global sheep milk industry. As the recipient of the prestigious Zanda McDonald Award in 2018, he is recognized for his exceptional work with Spring Sheep. Leading teams across genetics, milk supply, manufacturing, and market access, he spearheads our commitment to innovation.
James Horrocks
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
James brings extensive experience in business finance for Google's partnerships division in Europe/Africa and advising on capital allocation. With a background in investment banking and successful mergers and acquisitions, he is a Chartered Accountant holding an MBA with Distinction from Oxford, where he was a Saïd Foundation Scholar.
Andrea Wilkins
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Andrea is the driving force behind our brands and product marketing. With extensive experience in multinational FMCG companies, she has a track record of innovation success stories. Passionate about developing new markets and understanding consumer motivations, Andrea has implemented several insights programs and engagement projects. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition from the University of Otago.
Dr. Peter Jin
GENERAL MANAGER - CHINA
With over 17 years of experience in the dairy industry, Dr. Peter Jin has worked with leading New Zealand dairy companies in China. He specializes in sales, R&D, and developing major partnerships. Holding a PHD in lactoferrin, he has played a pivotal role in expanding our presence in the Chinese market.
Natalie Macbeth
HEAD OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL
Natalie, with a background in Food Science, has over 20 years of experience in the industry, focusing on new product development at renowned food manufacturers. She excels in formulating, trialing, and registering new products made with sheep milk, and is highly regarded in the New Zealand food and dairy science community.
Dr Isobel Willison
GENETICS AND LIVESTOCK MANAGER
Isobel is a passionate sheep vet and the current breeding program manager of Spring Sheep's Zealandia® dairy sheep. With experience in France and expertise in developing large-scale dairy sheep breeding programs, she brings a global perspective to genetic gain in a New Zealand farming context, ensuring the success of our advanced Zealandia® breeding program.
Joseph Highet
COMMERCIAL MANAGER
Joseph has built a career in the dairy industry, working across major New Zealand processors in various commercial roles. With extensive experience in interacting with the farming community and managing the milk price review process for the Commerce Commission, he enjoys a great reputation in the industry.
The Spring Sheep Board
Scottie Chapman
CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Scottie is passionate about designing and implementing international sales strategies. With 15 years of offshore experience, he has successfully taken NZ brands worldwide. Scottie also serves as a Director of SLC, expanding his influence in the industry.
Michael Ahie
CHAIRMAN
Of Taranaki, Ngā Ruahine and Ngāti Ruanui descent Michael is dedicated to helping create the commercial and cultural success stories that help New Zealand organisations thrive. Nimbly straddling a number of high profile roles in academia and the public and private sector, Michael lists Chancellor of Massey University, Chair of Plant & Food Research and the Inland Revenue Risk & Assurance Committee amongst his responsibilities.
Lain Jager
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTOR
Lain is our New Zealand Agribusiness champion. He was most recently at the helm of Zespri Group Limited as CEO and was at the forefront of the kiwifruit industry’s spectacular recovery. Lain is now turning his hand to a portfolio role comprised of supporting a number of interesting investments, some Directorships, and some strategic consulting and mentoring.
Mark Leslie
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTOR
Mark has 25 years of experience in the Agricultural Industry including roles in operations, logistics, technology and product development, and quality assurance. Mark has spent nearly two decades at one of New Zealand’s largest dairy brands as head of the operations and supply chain and more recently in the meat industry before joining Pāmu as CEO.
Nigel Atherfold
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTOR
Nigel has over 25 years of experience in finance, covering corporate finance, treasury risk management and banking. He is a director and shareholder of a corporate finance and economics advisory company, a director of two farming companies that have dairy, arable, and sheep and beef assets and is on several dairy advisory boards.
Jillian Laing
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTOR
Jillian has more than three decades of marketing and business development experience spanning a broad range of roles across the global food industry, including the dairy industry. Jillian is currently the founding CEO of the World Macadamia Organisation, a marketing fund established by the major growing countries to stimulate demand for macadamias as a mindful wholefood.
Greg Muir
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTOR
Greg is a Chairman of SLC Ventures and former CEO of The Warehouse Group and Tru-Test Ltd, among other senior leadership roles.