Havelock North Fruit Company, the parent company of the Rockit brand, has been in a rapid growth stage, both in consumer demand, but also in international distributorship and apple plantations. 

Company managing director, Phil Alison, said the appointment of Mortimer to the new position was an important step in the company’s next growth stage, which includes exciting product developments. “We’ve been on a hectic growth trajectory over the last two years, keeping up with global consumer interest as well has planting trees in countries such as Australia, United States, United Kingdom and Europe, to secure year round supply. 

“We also opened the Rockit food packaging facility in Havelock North earlier this year and have some exciting new products that we hope to launch in the near future. Due to this, it’s time we appointed a group general manager and we’re thrilled to appoint Austin to the role.”

Mortimer, originally from Galway, Ireland, is the former chief executive of international courier company Fastway Couriers in Hawke’s Bay. He has also worked in the oil and gas sector for Maersk, based in Venezuela and CRH, the world’s third largest building materials company, based in California.

In recent weeks, Havelock North Fruit Company also announced the appointment of John Loughlin as its new chairman. He is also chairman of Powerco, Tru-Test Corporation and EastPack and former chairman of Zespri Group, Prism Group Holdings, Firstlight Foods, Allied Farmers and Hawke's Bay Winegrowers.  Directorships include Napier Port, Bay Venues and Augusta Capital.