Rijk Zwaan has announced a leadership transition in its Oceania operations as Steven Roberts steps down as Business Manager after 30 years with the company. His role will be taken over by Peter Smith, former CEO of Boomaroo Nurseries, effective November 2025.
Roberts began his career with Rijk Zwaan in 1995 as a Sales Representative for New South Wales. Over three decades, he played a role in introducing various vegetable varieties and production concepts to Australian growers, including truss tomatoes, Salanova lettuce, Blue Leaf cucumbers, and Knox lettuce.
He also founded Love My Salad (now Veggies First), a social platform promoting vegetable consumption and sharing information about produce.
© Rijk Zwaan
From left: Tim March, Steven Roberts, and Peter Smith at Rijk Zwaan's Daylesford office
As Business Manager for the past 15 years, Roberts led a team of 80 staff across Australia and New Zealand. Under his management, the company expanded its commercial activities and strengthened relationships with growers across the region.
"Seeing Rijk Zwaan products on supermarket shelves, in restaurants and in friends' homes, knowing we helped bring vegetables like baby cucumbers and so many others to life is a real achievement," Roberts said. "What I'm most proud of is our team, and the growers who bring our seeds to life – they are the true heart of our success."
Peter Smith joins Rijk Zwaan with over 20 years of experience in manufacturing, operations, and horticulture management. At Boomaroo Nurseries, one of Australia's largest vegetable seedling producers, he held several senior roles, including CEO.
Smith will work alongside Tim March, Business Manager for Oceania and South Asia, who oversees research and development activities.
"I am honoured and excited by the opportunity to join Rijk Zwaan," Smith said. "I thank Steven for his incredible contribution to Rijk Zwaan and the vegetable industry over the last three decades, and I look forward to collaborating with Tim and the entire team to build upon the robust and successful foundations established by Steven."
Roberts said he was confident that Smith would continue to strengthen the company's engagement with growers. "His deep understanding of the industry and genuine connection with growers make him the right person to lead the team into its next chapter," he said.
© Rijk ZwaanFor more information:
Justine Webse
Rijk Zwaan
Tel: +61 448 954 444
Email: [email protected]
www.rijkzwaan.com.au
