Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme: Hamish Alabaster researches leadership skills

Detailed summary

Participation in the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme has been a “great learning experience” for a Lower North Island-based rural business professional. Hamish Alabaster,…

Participation in the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme has been a “great learning experience” for a Lower North Island-based rural business professional.

Hamish Alabaster, Taranaki area manager with FMG Insurance, is coming to the end of his six-month stint with 23 others from around the country selected for the June cohort.

The Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme has been developing leaders for the rural and agri-food sector since 1979.

The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust Programme, which runs the Kellogg scheme, said cohorts were carefully selected to maximise diversity across industries, level of experience, geographical location, gender and ethnicity.

“The residential format of the programme creates cohort networks and friendships across the country and industries through the mix of farmers, growers, producers and agribusiness professionals.”

Alabaster said he learned about the programme through FMG, one of the rural leadership initiative’s strategic partners.

“I am extremely grateful to FMG for the encouragement and support needed to complete the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme.”

He also gained first-hand knowledge from his manager, Jason Rolfe, who previously completed the Kellogg programme.

“I was also interested in the chance to connect with people from different parts of the rural sector and learn from their experiences and challenges.”

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