15 September 2026

Hawke's Bay Business News, Profiles and Expert Advice

ROCKIT GLOBAL ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF NEW CEO, GRANT MCBEATH

Rockit Global Limited Chair, John Loughlin announced today the appointment of Grant McBeath as its new Chief Executive Officer. Grant will succeed Mark O’Donnell who in June announced his upcoming retirement. The appointment follows a search that included international candidates for the role.

John Loughlin said, “the Rockit Board is delighted with the appointment of a proven leader with a strong track record of performance in complex roles, fast moving businesses, country leadership in Asian markets and fast-moving consumer goods.”

“Grant’s most recent roles were at Spark, and before that with Nokia, Cadbury, Caltex / Chevron Texaco, SC Johnson Wax and Coca-Cola Amatil. He has demonstrated experience delivering sales and services solutions at scale, being key in driving a transformation to agile while delivering strong revenue and profitability growth.”

Grant McBeath said, “I am incredibly excited to be given an opportunity to lead the Rockit business which operates a complete value chain from orchards, mainly in New Zealand, to consumers around the world. There are huge challenges and some aspects of the business that will be new to me. At the same time, I can see that some of my career experiences will equip me well to contribute strongly where the prize is greatest for Rockit.”

“I will be starting in the new role early this month and am looking forward to meeting the Rockit team, growers, customers and suppliers and making a high impact contribution to this fast-moving business. It is great to be able to have a quality transition working with Mark O’Donnell over his final months. It is a privilege to take over what Mark has built, and to take this business to the next level.”

Damon Harvey is the Editor and Publisher of The Profit, Hawke’s Bay’s leading business magazine, and the person behind The Profit Unleashed, the region’s most talked-about business event series. With more than 20 years across journalism, marketing, PR and content, Damon founded The Profit with a clear purpose: to celebrate the businesses and people driving Hawke’s Bay forward. The magazine and the events that have followed are built on the belief that great local stories deserve a great platform. Alongside his wife Anna Lorck, Damon is a Director of Attn! Marketing PR, a strategic communications agency working with organisations that want to build trust, strengthen reputation and get real results. He brings serious governance credentials to everything he does. Currently Chair of Gemco Construction, he previously chaired Sport Hawke’s Bay and spent nine years as a Hastings District Councillor, where he focused on community and economic development. When he’s not chasing a story or a swell, Damon can usually be found on a mountain bike trail or spending time with family and friends. Got a story worth telling? Reach Damon at 021 2886 772 or damon@attn.co.nz

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