Board member Michael Fox has been appointed as the Chair of the India New Zealand Business Council at the AGM on June 30 2023, replacing Earl Rattray who has completed his two-year term as Chair.
Michael is the Head of Global Public Affairs and Communication at Zespri and has been on the INZBC Board for around two years. Previously, he worked in Parliament as a Press Secretary and Chief Press Secretary to former Prime Ministers Sir John Key and Sir Bill English, as well as Opposition Leader Simon Bridges.
Michael says he feels privileged to have received the support of the INZBC Board and members and is excited about the opportunity ahead.
“A stronger relationship with India is vital to New Zealand’s future and I think New Zealand has the ability to add real value to India too.
“India now hosts the world’s biggest population, with the largest pool of highly educated English fluent internationally mobile youth. Its economy is expected to grow to the third largest in the world by 2030. It has an incredibly ambitious and committed diaspora which is increasingly influential around the world, including here in New Zealand. And it’s playing a more and more important role on the world stage.
“New Zealand in turn is a world leader in areas like agriculture and horticulture as well as in education, tourism and fintech and we have a history of working constructively with partners around the world. We can succeed together.
“The INZBC has played an increasingly influential role in strengthening the relationship between India and New Zealand to help us realise this and I think the opportunity to continue to drive that relationship is immense.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the leadership of Earl Rattray, who is an incredibly experienced governor and as Chair has helped to position INZBC at the forefront of the India-New Zealand relationship.
“In particular I’d like to acknowledge his leadership in the development and launch of the influential INZBC Report, India and New Zealand: A relationship ready for its next phase, working alongside Board members, exporters and the government. I’m really pleased that Earl will remain on the Board to continue to lend his considerable expertise. I’m also pleased that the existing Board members will also continue for the full term.
“I look forward to working with the Board and India-focused exporters as well as the wider Indian diaspora in New Zealand and both governments to create opportunities into the future.”
Michael will continue to be supported by the existing board members and Jay Changlani as the Treasurer. His appointment comes at an important time when INZBC is working with various other stakeholders for organizing a business delegation to India, in the end of August.
About Michael Fox:
Michael Fox, Zespri Head of Global Public Affairs
Michael Fox is Zespri’s Head of Global Public Affairs whose team has responsibility for Zespri’s global communications, government and international relations, trade, advocacy, policy and regulatory portfolios as well as the community investment and tours and events programmes.
He and his team have responsibility for supporting communities and creating an environment to help the industry to fulfill its growth ambitions through positive engagement and advocacy and building the New Zealand kiwifruit industry’s reputation as one which makes a positive impact on communities and stakeholders around the world.
Michael holds a number of other advisory roles including sitting on the New Zealand International Business Forum and Export New Zealand Advisory Board.
He joined Zespri after working in Parliament as a Press Secretary and Chief Press Secretary to former Prime Ministers Sir John Key and Sir Bill English and Opposition Leader Simon Bridges. Prior to that he was a journalist working in Wellington, Auckland, Egypt and Cambodia.
