Rob Hewett on 17 years around Silver Fern Farms’ board table

Rob Hewett at home on his farm in South Otago. (Image: Supplied)

Tue, 10 Jun 2025

When Rob Hewett became chair of Silver Fern Farms, his first meeting was with 40-odd bankers in Auckland.He had to convince them they should continue to back the country’s largest red meat processor.That period, Hewett believes, was the beginning of the company’s “troubles” which took three years to wade through and ultimately led its equity deal with Shanghai Maling, now known as Bright Meat.Twelve years on from that meeting, and after 17 years on the company’s board, Hewett stood down as Silver Fern’s chair...

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