Former Fonterra chief executive, Andrew Ferrier has been appointed as chair of the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Board (NZTE).

His chairmanship will be for a three-year term commencing November 2012, announced economic development minister Steven Joyce and trade minister Tim Groser today.

Ferrier has held a number of director and executive positions for large multi-nationals and has “a wealth of experience in international business, and brings strong governance and strategic capability to the NZTE Board. He is well placed to take up the role of chair for the Board,” says Joyce.

Businesswoman Julie Christie, consultant Charles Finny and Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Peter Townsend were reappointed for a second, three-year term.

The Ministers thanked outgoing chair Jon Mayson for his valuable contribution to the operation of NZTE and for steering it through a period of significant change.

Andrew Ferrier has almost 30 years’ experience in international business, with a background in building global, performance-driven businesses.

In September 2011, he stepped down as chief executive of Fonterra after eight years. Prior to joining Fonterra, he was president and chief executive officer of GSW Inc. and spent 16 years in the sugar industry working in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Mexico. He served as the president and chief executive of Tate & Lyle North America Sugars Inc.

Andrew Ferrier is a director of Orion Health Ltd and CANZ Capital Ltd. He was appointed to the University of Auckland Council in March 2012. Born in Canada, he has been a New Zealand citizen since 2008.