Zespri Executive appointment

Zespri has appointed Shonelle Nichols as Chief People Officer following an executive search conducted by SEQEL Partners.

Zespri is the world’s leading kiwifruit brand, employing over 900 staff and earning revenues of circa $6 billion. The business is a co-operative owned by more than 4,200 growers in New Zealand and internationally and is the country’s largest horticulture exporter.

Shonelle is a senior People & Culture leader with extensive experience across large, complex global organisations. Most recently, she has held senior leadership roles within the large multinationals Unilever and Fonterra, where she worked across strategic and operational people and culture portfolios spanning multiple geographies. Throughout her career, Shonelle has focused on building organisational capability and culture, strengthening leadership and talent, and supporting business transformation.

Shonelle holds a Bachelor of Commerce in HR Management & Industrial Relations from the University of Western Australia. She joins Zespri in September.