Our People

RYAN CAVANAGH

Chief Executive Officer

Ph.D Chemical Engineering,
BEng (Hons) Chemical & Minerals Engineering, University of Birmingham, UK

Ryan joined our team as CEO in 2020 bringing global leadership experience along with his trademark energy and commitment to developing people, culture and high-performance outcomes.

With 17 years in lead roles at Rio Tinto, in locations ranging from Invercargill to London and Zimbabwe and as Senior Vice President for global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, Ryan has worked for multiple large organisations in different capacities.

As part of McKinsey’s Global Transformation team, Ryan was often seconded into client executive teams as a Chief Transformation Officer coach to lead and execute sustainable change.

Earlier in his career, he was responsible for all Rio Tinto affairs in New Zealand and General Manager for Gove Operations in the Northern Territory.

PAULINE VAN DEN KERKHOF

Chief Financial Officer

Chartered Accountant & Member of the CAANZ

As our Chief Financial Officer Pauline leads the financial management of accounts receivable, accounts payable, treasury, taxation, audit, insurance, and management accounting for all Timberlands’ business units.

With 38 years of experience in the forestry sector and over 20 years with Timberlands, Pauline is a respected forestry veteran in her field. Pauline has wide-ranging experience and expertise in transport, harvesting, tree crops and shipping. She cares deeply about the people and the community who work in forestry.

Prior to joining Timberlands, she held many positions within Fletcher Challenge Forests, joining them in 1985 when they were Tasman Forestry, as a contractor payment clerk and finishing in 2003 as a shipping accountant. She studied extramurally during this time and became a Chartered Accountant in 1993.

Pauline has an extensive understanding of our forestry operations and the history of Timberlands. She leads a committed finance team at our main office.

DEAN WITEHIRA

Chief Operations Officer

BForSc (Hons), University of Canterbury
New Zealand Certificate in Forestry, Waiariki Polytechnic
General Management Programme, Harvard Business School
Diploma in Te Ara Reo Māori, Te Whare Wānanga o Aotearoa

Dean is our Chief Operations Officer and has worked in and around the Kaingaroa Forest Estate for over 35 years. Dean started his career as a forestry worker while still at school and now leads the Genetics, Tree Crop, Harvesting and Marketing operations.

Dean has extensive experience in managing large-scale commercial forests, high-risk environments, the marketing and sale of logs and residues, harvesting and distribution, tree crop investment, tree improvement and nursery operations.

Developing people and relationships is central to how Dean builds safety awareness and forest productivity at Timberlands.

His previous work includes being a Director and shareholder of Timberlands Limited and Timberlands Pacific PTY Ltd, Australia. Dean is currently the Vice President of the NZ Forest Owners Executive, Chairman of Forest Genetics and is a Director of Forest Growers Research.

Ko whakapapa ia ki te Tai Tokerau. Tana Iwi ko Ngapuhi me Ngai Tawake te hapu. Tana ingoa whanau ko Whautere Witehira no Mataraua, Kaikohe.

COLIN MAUNDER

General Manager Sustainability

Bachelor of Forestry Science
Masters in Environmental Sciences (Hons), University of Canterbury

Colin joined Timberlands in 2003 and is a recognised forest industry expert in sustainability and operational management.

As the GM of Sustainability, Colin is responsible for environment, iwi and community relations, fire and security, forest communication, enterprise risk, biosecurity and operational land matters.

Colin is committed to the seven core Restorative Development Goals for Timberlands and leads initiatives to support carbon emission reductions across the supply value chain.

Colin represents the company and the forestry sector in numerous domestic and international forums, including NZ Forest Owners Association Committees, the Central North Island Wood Council, and as a delegate to the Forest Stewardship Council.

IAN BARRETT

General Manager OHS Partnering

HAZOP Leader, Graduate Dip OHS, Massey University NZ
NZ Institute of Safety Management
Worley Parsons New Zealand CEO Award

Ian is the General Manager of OHS Partnering, leading safety initiatives and compliance for Timberlands to manage risk and prevent harm in our forest supply chain. He works closely with our people, frontline leaders, and forestry sector agencies.

Prior to joining Timberlands, Ian was the National Environment, Health & Safety Manager with Fletcher Construction. He has worked in several large-scale, high-risk industries, including oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, and the primary sector.

Ian is deeply passionate about keeping our kaimahi safe and supporting frontline leadership.

KRISHAN TOPIWALA

General Manager People, Culture & Transformation

Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Reading, UK

As GM of People, Culture and Transformation, Krishan oversees positive workforce development and leads projects impacting organisational change and growth.

Krishan joined Timberlands in 2021 with global experience from large, dynamic companies. Living and working around the world has given him understanding of cultural diversity and global business practice. He has experience in Ernst Young, Deloitte, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and A.P. Moller – Maersk.

Krishan is dedicated to building a positive, inclusive culture that ensures we achieve our strategic goals and grow better every day.

IAN HINTON

General Manager Strategy & Innovation

Bachelor of Forestry Science, University of Canterbury
Diploma in Management, Waikato University

As GM of Strategy & Innovation, Ian drives initiatives using biology and digital technology to create solutions that enhance the forest. His team develops and models operational data to improve the entire forest ecosystem, considering land, environment, community, and shareholders.

Ian’s career began over 30 years ago as a Resource Forester. He built valuable experience in various roles with the Forestry Corporation of NZ and Fletcher Challenge Forests.

Ian later became Technical Manager of TMC and a shareholder/director on its transition to Timberlands Limited. He oversaw technical and resource management across NZ and Australian assets.

As an enduring member of the Senior Leadership Team, Ian is deeply committed to creating a vision that prepares the Kaingaroa Forest Estate for the future.

STUART HICKMAN

Group Legal Counsel

Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Auckland University, New Zealand

Stuart joined Timberlands in 2017 and is responsible for legal affairs and company secretarial functions. He provides strategic advice for commercial initiatives and is dedicated to health and safety.

With broad commercial, environmental, and property law experience from both private practice and in-house roles, Stuart uses plain language and a user-centric approach.

He cherishes the diverse landscapes of the Central North Island and can often be found mountain biking in Whakarewarewa.