SDH Board Chair Simon Flood highlighted Delaney’s extensive track record in operational excellence, organizational change, and agribusiness strategy. Delaney most recently served as Chief Operating Officer at Road Transport Logistics and previously held senior executive roles at Ballance Agri-Nutrients, where he managed large-scale supply chains, logistics networks, and business improvement programs. Flood noted that Delaney’s continuous improvement mindset and collaborative leadership style provide a steady hand as the board plans the hub’s future direction.

The executive transition follows the departure of Andrea Dixon, who led the Southern Dairy Hub over the past three years. Flood expressed gratitude for Dixon’s leadership and noted that her recent consultancy ensured a smooth transition for the team, researchers, and partners. Delaney’s interim leadership will maintain continuity across ongoing demonstration trials and operational projects while the hub works with regional stakeholders on its long-term strategy.

The Southern Dairy Hub represents a unique combination of commercial dairy farming and applied agricultural research. Supported by industry partners such as DairyNZ and AgResearch alongside local farmers, the hub conducts trials designed to improve environmental performance, animal welfare, and business profitability. Its research specifically addresses the climatic, environmental, and operational realities of farming in the lower South Island.