Rockit Global Limited has commenced what it believes will be its most exciting year yet with new CEO Mark O’Donnell announcing two key appointments. The fruit company, which grows and markets the globally trademarked Rockit™ apple from its base in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, has promoted Mark Pay to the role of General Manager Global Sales, effective this week.
O’Donnell, who himself joined Rockit in early January, says Pay replaces outgoing GM Global Sales Grant Walsh. O’Donnell says the GM Global Sales role is critical to Rockit’s success and that Pay is more than ready for the challenge. “Mark has been with the business for four years,” says O’Donnell, “and in that time he has been instrumental in establishing direct China customers, and more recently expanding Rockit™ sales throughout South East Asia and the Middle East. He has considerable expertise in developing new markets, spearheading new product development, and building key retailer relationships as well as first-hand, on-the-ground experience of our consumer markets and customer drivers. We’re delighted to move Mark into a new role where his strategic capability and progressive thinking will come to the fore, particularly as he begins establishing additional market managers in key markets around the world.”
A new General Counsel has also been appointed. Tom Lane joins Rockit in May 2021 from Coca-Cola Amatil. O’Donnell says Lane – who has a broad background in commercial law including stretches at Lion (NZ) Limited and Chapman Tripp – is well-equipped for the challenges Rockit will face in 2021 and beyond. “Tom comes to us with significant experience in both governance and negotiation – critical skills for a business poised to continue growing its shareholder and investor base, and expanding into new global markets.”
After a record sales year in 2020, despite the considerable challenges wrought by Covid-19, Rockit will open its brand new, state of the art global headquarters in Hawke’s Bay in mid 2021. O’Donnell says it’s an enormous credit to the skill and capability of the Rockit team that their journey has been disrupted so little by a major international crisis like Covid. “The fact that we continued to deliver excellent returns to growers on mature orchards is testament to the commitment of the entire team we have in place.”
He further notes that Grant Walsh was instrumental in that achievement. “Since joining Rockit Global Limited in May 2019, Grant immediately improved our domestic and international grower relationships, and helped lead Rockit™ sales through the pandemic-affected season. 2021 is already pegged to be Rockit’s most exciting year yet,” O’Donnell concludes, “and with some ambitious projects in the works and such an accomplished team at the fore, we are in the best possible position for success.”
For more information:
Fiona Fraser
Tel: +64 27 501 3921
Email: [email protected]
www.contentment.co.nz