Contempory Scholars Conference 2012
The Netherlands and United Kingdom
A comment was made amongst our group recently that we needed time on a long haul trip to catch up on our admin. So it is that I find myself sitting on a train (London to Bradford) staring at a blank computer screen wondering where to begin…
In the past week I have started to really appreciate the wonderful gift that is the Nuffield Scholarship. It is measured, not in money, but in people.
Since last Saturday I have been inspired, gaped in astonishment , challenged, delighted, fed to well, danced, yawned( took a while to get my sleep patterns sorted out) and learnt a lot. I have felt young and extremely old and everything in between. I have cried and laughed until my ribs hurt.
All of this in the company of a group of people for whom there simply aren’t enough superlatives.
So.. what’s been going on…
I won’t bore you with the flight to the UK suffice to say it was long!! Richard and I were really lucky to have Michael waiting for us at Heathrow – he had transport and accommodation organized – we just had to stay awake long enough to eat and crash into bed.
The next morning we flew to Amsterdam where we met Stuart, Jim and John Stone and all our fellow scholars. Anyone who could remember any names from that initial mêlée is amazing! Straight on a bus, packed lunch and off on a tour around Holland. Water, water, everywhere just about sums up Holland!! This is a country of which large parts are below sea level. An extraordinarily complex water level system and extreme diligence is what keeps the Netherlands “afloat”. Some extremely tired people disembarked at the hotel that night.
Sunday morning and a bear walked past the window while I was talking to Rob via Skype!!! None of us had noticed in the dark that our hotel was built next to a zoo! The morning was either at a church service or on excursions into Rotterdam.
The afternoon was our chance to introduce ourselves – 2 minutes, 3 power point slides each. For some 2 minutes was an insufferably long time and for others not nearly long enough. What a fascinatingly diverse group of people! From no land to vast properties, heavily regulated to de-regulated, horticulture, agriculture, aquaculture, viticulture, industry support … the list goes on. One common goal – producing food.
On Monday we went to visit the operations of FloraHolland the world’s largest cooperative for flower producers. Here they own a massive receivables and distribution facility and auction house. The auction is done using a clock system which enables fast feedback for the 150000 transactions they do per day! FloraHolland has a turnover of 4.1 billion euro/yr and has 4900 members - many of whom own farms in Africa. Interestingly, offshore production by countries in the EU is trend across many industries.
In the Netherlands co-op style agriculture is common – must be something to do with having to keep their heads above water!! The co-ops that were most effective were dealing with flowers or dairy farming with over 95% of flower and dairy producers belonging to a coop. The main dairy coop is Friesland-Campina which has 14800 members.
We had some fantastic guest speakers throughout the Netherlands – at one session we had the directors of 3 companies whose combined turnover exceeded 20 billion Euros!!
London has been a home coming of sorts for me. I have always loved this gracious, elegant, crazy, city.
Our first day was spent at New Zealand House which has easily the best cocktail space in all of London! Opened in 1963, NZ House boasts 18 floors rising above central London – the building code was hastily changed after this building was completed so no one can look down on us here!
The topics for the day included everything from the British Soil Assn, Local Government relating to Agriculture, economics and trade (WTO). All fascinating topics with direct links to how we do business in New Zealand.
Our evening was highlighted by a spectacular haka from embassy staff and the presence of the patron of Nuffield, HRH the Duke of Glouster along with Derek Leask, the NZ High Commissioner
Friday found us at the plush and dazzling Institute of Directors building. Here we were given some phenomenal insight into what it means (and what it costs) to be leaders. It was during this session that we received an extraordinary gift that crystallized the entire conference.
Just thinking back on this presentation brings tears to my eyes – a very brave Nuffield Scholar told us about the worst day of their life. The message was clear – never lose sight of what is most important – love the people around you. This individual now runs an extremely successful food producing business across several counties and is giving back to those communities – the legacy of a hard won lesson.
This presenter took a huge personal risk speaking to us with such bald honesty and we were all extremely privileged to be part of their Nuffield ‘family’. After a resounding standing ovation International Chairman, Stuart Wright captured the emotions in the room perfectly by saying “we often hear people talk about leadership – today we saw leadership”
I am now heading off to Bradford, the centre of textile production in the UK, where I am assured of an informative few days. I am the guest of the British Wool Marketing Board – I look forward to some interesting debate around our various industries.
My message for this month – take good care of the people around us for without them we are nothing.
