George Philip, a sheep and beef farmer near Dannevirke, joins the Angus Zealand board after an introduction to the association through the GenAngus Future Leaders Development programme.

He attended the three-day Future Leaders conference in Adelaide last June, joining two other Kiwis and a dozen Australian breeders.

He says the programme, combined with a governance training day Angus New Zealand held at PBB, gave him a great insight into Angus New Zealand and help build his confidence to accept a director role.

“I have a lot to learn and have already learnt a lot from rubbing shoulders with fellow breeders and directors alike. For me it’s a great opportunity to bring whatever skills I have, contribute that but also get to understand the organisation and keep it on the path it’s on.”

George in his 4th season on an inter-generational property at Weber after entering a family succession process with his father John and uncle, Willy Philip. The Angus stud, Dandaleith, is an 870ha breeding block on hill country and the property is complimented by a 200ha flat land block in Dannevirke, which grows out male progeny and lambs.

George is a 5th generation Philip on the hill block and he’ll continue to work the property alongside his dad and uncle. Dandaleith Angus was established in 1951 by George’s grandad, Bill Philip, who was a Scottish immigrant from Dandaleith, near Aberlour in the Moray district of Scotland. He started the stud and ran it at Anui, near Dannevirke.

Willie Philip carried on the stud and brought the cows out to “Ratanui”, the family’s breeding block at Weber.

George started out specialising in rural accounting before joining ASB Bank. Now in his late ‘30s, he’s married to Laura and the couple have two young pre-school girls. He sees the Angus New Zealand role as an opportunity for personal growth, being relatively new to hands on farming and cattle breeding.

“The reason I was interested in the taking on the role is there’s a great board and management team in Angus New Zealand and I look forward to working with them to achieve the vision and strategy. I hope to use the skills I have to help the Angus breed and Angus New Zealand and fellow directors and management, continue to keep Angus at the forefront of beef breeding. The breed is in great shape and focused on the future, and I hope to be able to help Angus NZ continue on its current path,” he says.