Richard Burke

Biography

Richard Burke – LeaderBrand

Richard has worked with LeaderBrand for more than 30 years.

He started as a tractor driver in Gisborne after returning to New Zealand from overseas.

Throughout the years he has moved through various roles within the business, including planter and harvester, production roles and farm manager.  Under the guidance of founder Murray McPhail, his career has progressed and about ten years ago he moved into the role of CEO.

Richard’s knowledge of the region and a strong farming background has enabled him to successfully grow the business and his team.

LeaderBrand is currently in a growth period as it continues to look for strategic ways to ensure that the business can deliver consistently of supply and cement the Gisborne region as the salad capital of the country. 

In October 2019, Kānoa, Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, confirmed LeaderBrand was successful in securing a $15 million loan to help fund the construction of their undercover growing facility, the first of its kind in New Zealand. 

Last year, the first commercial crop of spinach was successfully planted, harvested and processed from the smaller undercover greenhouse. Construction has just been completed on the larger greenhouse.

The company has recently opened a cooling centre installed with the latest technology and a fresh distribution centre next to the state-of-the-art processing salad house. The new complex helps to streamline the businesses processes.

Growing Vegetables: Adapting to Our New Reality  

LeaderBrand, is a large vegetable grower with its biggest farm, head office and processing plant based in Gisborne with additional farms in Pukekohe, Matamata and Ashburton.  

Faced with ongoing challenges, Richard chats about LeaderBrand having to strategically adapt to the new reality of farming at scale. How they are using innovation and technology whilst still meeting the increased demands of operating in an environment of high risk, environmentally friendly, cost effective for consumers, and attempting to still be profitable.