Mike Brown has spent his working career in the primary sector and is a specialist in the export of food and beverages.  He began his career as a winemaker and worked in South America and Europe, before a decade spent as winemaker and GM at Waimea Estates in Nelson.  He went on to work for Nelson’s Wakatū Incorporation, first as CEO of Tohu Wines, then as GM Sales & Marketing for KONO.

Mike broadened his sector and market knowledge during a stint at NZTE, before recycling out to the private sector as CEO of ice cream start-up Appleby Farms, also in Nelson.  During this time Mike also developed a governance career, chairing the boards of dedicated craft cider producer Zeffer Cider and NZ’s largest volume water brand, Pure NZ (NZ Drinks).

Currently, Mike is CEO of Marlborough Grapegrowers Co-operative in Marlborough. Mike’s strengths are in grower/farmer understanding, food and beverage processing, the domestic FMCG environment, and global market strategy.