Nigel Stevens - Chief Executive Officer
Nigel Stevens has worked for AFFCO since 2009, initially as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that his background includes various finance and sales related roles within Talley’s group, and other offshore experience.
Nigel holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury, and is a certified member of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand, and the Institute of Financial Professionals New Zealand.
Nigel is currently a Council member of the New Zealand Meat Industry Association (MIA), and is a former trustee of the New Zealand Meat Industry Superannuation Scheme (MISS).
Kristin Akehurst - Chief Financial Officer
Kristin joined AFFCO as the Financial Accountant in 2010. In 2012 she was promoted to Finance Manager, then appointed Chief Financial Officer in 2018. Previous roles prior to AFFCO include Finance roles in Agri-business, Food and Trade Banking.
Kristin holds a Bachelor of Business from the Waikato Institute of Technology and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand.
Tom Young- National Livestock Manager
Tom entered the meat industry in 2013 as Key Account Manager at AFFCO. In late 2013 he moved into his current position of National Livestock Manager.
Prior to working for AFFCO, Tom worked in the rural sector as a rural banker. His principal roles included financing a wide range of farming operations from dairy, traditional sheep and cattle through to horticultural businesses. The tail end of his banking career included helping businesses under financial pressure find solutions. He also has overseas experience working at investment banks in the United Kingdom.
Tony Miles - Chief Operating Officer
Tony came from a rural upbringing which led to a career in the meat industry, working in numerous roles from processing through to plant management. This led to a position in Operations Management with AFFCO in 2004.
Tony has completed his Diploma in Meat Technology at Massey University, is a Qualified Trades Butcher and holds a National Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Level 4.
Experience gained from a number of personalities over many years has helped characterise Tony’s approach and understanding of processing and the people AFFCO employ.
Derek Ramsey - Group Sales and Marketing Manager
Derek has worked in primary industry since 2010 with time in both dairy and red meat. Prior to that he worked in grocery retail and consumer goods with Pepsico and Diageo brands. He joined AFFCO in 2023.
Derek holds an undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Technological University Dublin and a postgraduate Diploma in Sales Management from UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School, Dublin.
Derek is a member of the New Zealand Agritech Advisory Panel for the Irish government economic development agency - Enterprise Ireland and was a participant in the Deloitte Future Leaders Program in 2021.
