Conor English, a former chief executive officer of the Property Institute and press secretary for former National Government Lands Minister John Luxton, has been named chief executive of Federated Farmers.
Mr English was most recently commercial director and second-in-charge of The Property Group consultancy. He will take up the new job on July 21.
Federated Farmers president Charlie Pedersen said Mr English had the "ideal experience and skills" for the job.
"Mr English started his career as a sheep, cattle, crop and forestry farmer," he said. "He already has established relationships with many of our stakeholders".
Mr English said he was looking forward to building on the work done by the farm lobby at an exciting time: `New Zealand grows grass to feed the world and there are plenty of challenges to ensure we continue to do that successfully".
He is replacing another professional lobbyist, former MP Annabel Young, 52, a former tax specialist who recently resigned after three years at the farm lobby, to become chief executive of the Pharmacy Guild.
