WoolWorks operates wool scouring plants at Washdyke near Timaru, Napier and Clive as the largest wool scouring company by volume in the world.
Joining Mr Hewett as board newcomers are veteran directors John Rodwell and Mike Smith.
As well as jointly chairing the SFF co-op and being the chairman of Farmlands Co-operative, Mr Hewett runs 9250 stock units on a 960ha sheep and beef breeding property and has a finishing unit in South Otago’s Manuka Gorge.
Mr Rodwell is also a farmer, as founder and part-owner of Kintore Dairy Farm, a 1500 cow dairy farm in Mid Canterbury, and its 330 hectare support farm, Broadfields Farm in Ashburton.
The experienced director has a background in corporate finance, investment banking and investing in agri-businesses as past chairman of the Strong Wool Action Group and director of Landcare Research and Lincoln-based Bioprotection Aotearoa.
Mr Smith is a director of Maui Capital and past chairman or director of Argosy Property Trust, The Lion Foundation, OnePath Holdings, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Lion Nathan, Fonterra, Auckland International Airport and United Networks.
Mr Hewett said his fellow directors would bring expertise and experience to the WoolWorks board and make valuable contributions.
Mr Rodwell said he was attracted to the company because it had the size and scale to be a global player.
Consumers were increasingly recognising the value of wool as a material, as well as the drawbacks of synthetics and their reliance on fossil fuels and chemicals, he said.
“What’s clear is that there has been a sea change in the perception of wool as a natural fibre with its outstanding environmental credentials,’’ he said.
