Friday, March 29, 2024

A fresh set of eyes

Avatar photo
There is a new person in charge at the Dairy Women’s Network. Jules Benton spoke to Fritha Tagg about her experience and her role.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Jules Benton, the new Dairy Women’s Network chief executive is quick to admit she has little farming in her background but says she is surrounded by a wealth of knowledge in the network. 

Deep down in her genes there is a significant link to the dairy industry. 

She grew up in South Taranaki where grandfather was a farmer, her father was a cheesemaker and her brother a sharemilker. She and her three siblings went to school in Taranaki where the family lived and where she began her working life.

Her decision to apply for the network job was all down to timing. She had been following the network on social media for some time and liked what she saw.

“I thought what a great organisation. It supported women in dairy through their careers.”

In 2011 she was Business Fitness New Zealand general manager in Mount Maunganui when Wolters Kluwer CCH NZ bought Business Fitness and kept her on.

Wolters Kluwer is a publishing, research and workflow solutions company that publishes material with a strong focus on taxation, employment and health and safety legislation in book and digital forms.

“A big part of our role was to simplify the material or changes to legislation for accountants, lawyers and business professionals to make it easier to understand and for them to be able to pass on to clients,” she said.

The company produced live on-line learning webinars, making access to the changes much easier.

In 2012 Wolters Kluwer offered Benton its general manager role. She took it on reluctantly but admits it was probably the best decision she could have made. 

“We turned the business around by building up an incredible team took a declining business to growth. 

“I’m absolutely committed to building a strong culture within businesses and giving people opportunities to grow and fulfil their career aspirations.

 Timing, as they say, is everything.

Jules Benton is responsible for representing and championing Dairy Women’s Network at an industry level.

Benton says the Baron and Baroness appreciated the Kiwi can-do attitude and willingness to work. It was an enjoyable work and life experience.

After a couple of years Benton was offered a job running a marketing company in London so the couple left Scotland and spent two years in London, she working for Ignis and he leading its event management team. 

The couple has set up a second base in Cambridge, an easy 20-minute commute to her office in Hamilton. Andy owns his own business in Mount Maunganui. At this stage the couple are enjoying having the best of both worlds.

“We’re absolutely loving the Cambridge community.

“I am looking forward to becoming involved in this role. It is time to give back. It is where I want to be to be able to use my skills, impart my knowledge.

“Dairy Women’s Network is a powerful group. There is a wealth of knowledge spread right across the country. Women are leading and changing business landscape in dairying. Their skills are phenomenal. They are driven, determined and passionate  – three amazing traits to lead any business. 

“We have challenges to address like any business, however, the opportunities are exciting.

“I love the passion in the agri-sector – and I see a real opportunity to really tell our story. We need to celebrate success. Dairy women are passionate and it will be great to be part of this.”

Total
0
Shares
People are also reading