Somerville is a Lincoln University graduate who set up the National Bank’s rural finance team and was its business banking general manager.
PICA transition board chairman Mark Paine says “PICA has come a long way since it was set up two years ago and Andy brings the right combination of skills in strategy, leadership and collaboration needed to lead the next phase of development.
“Last month’s release of the People Powered report by the Ministry for Primary Industries highlighted the changing skill requirements necessary so the primary sector is equipped to adapt and respond to new opportunities and technologies as we move towards 2025.
“In future we hope to extend the alliance to include the wider primary industries such as horticulture, seafood, forestry and arable.
“PICA, under Andy’s leadership, will play a critical role in linking organisations and ensuring their strategies, resources and activities are aligned to achieve the outcomes our primary industries need.”
PICA is a collaboration between Young Farmers, DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb NZ, PrimaryITO, Taratahi, Ministry for Primary Industries and Lincoln University.
It was set up in 2012 to develop a capability strategy for agriculture.
