Natural Products New Zealand (NPNZ) has appointed Alison Quesnel as Executive Director.
 

Alison has served on the Board of NPNZ since 2009 and has an extensive background working for large corporate, SMEs and not-for-profit companies across a range of business sectors including health supplements, food manufacturing and business service organisations.

Alison will be responsible for providing leadership to the natural products industry and supporting member companies to build on the $1billion industry and take it to the next target of $5billion by 2025.  Part of her role will be to represent members in driving the Natural Health Products Bill towards legislation, working with government and other professional health bodies on regulation and assisting with developing new markets through international profiling.

Ron Geiger, chairman of Natural Products New Zealand, said “Alison’s close association with the organisation and her in-depth knowledge of the industry makes her a natural choice for the role.  The organisation and the industry will benefit from her extensive experience in both the natural products sector and international markets.”

Alison previously held various roles with natural healthcare company, Blackmores, during her 12 year tenure.  Originally employed as General Manager of New Zealand, she was then appointed to International Manager of New Zealand, UK and Emerging markets where she was responsible for identifying potential new markets and developing export strategies.  After the completion of this project Alison returned to the role of General Manager of New Zealand.

Prior to Blackmores, Alison was chief executive of Business In The Community, and before taking up that position had extensive FMCG and export experience in the food and beverage sector.

Alison has undertaken several government advisory roles.  Most recently, she was appointed to the Ministry of Health’s Interim Technical Expert Advisory Committee for the Natural Health Products Bill in January 2012.  She was a Crown appointee on the Small Business Advisory Group operated by Ministry of Economic Development and a Crown appointee to the Food & Beverage Taskforce.

Alison has held directorships of Natural Fertility NZ, the Equal Employment Opportunity Trust and Business in the Community.  She has been a long term judge of various Business Excellence Awards.

About Natural Products New Zealand

Natural Products New Zealand (NPNZ) is the national industry organisation representing the natural products, functional foods, complementary medicines and nutraceuticals industry.   NPNZ works to maximise the industry’s competitive advantage and increase the profile of New Zealand as a source of high quality natural products.  Now generating more than $1billion in revenue, the natural products industry is on track to meet the next target of $5billion by 2025.  With more than 70% of New Zealand’s export earnings being derived from biology-based industries, ranging from primary industries to new-generation technologies, the natural products industry contributes significantly to New Zealand’s economy.  www.naturalproductsnz.org

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For more information contact:

Alison Quesnel, Executive Director of Natural Products New Zealand: P:  +64 3 577 8676 / 021 415888 E:    alison.quesnel@naturalproductsnz.org    

Or

Liane Donovan, Donovan PR: P: +64 9 522 7125 / 027 2227348   E: liane@donovanpr.co.nz