Select Harvests appoints Kristina Hermanson as Managing Director and CEO, aiming to leverage her 25 years of global agribusiness expertise to drive the company’s next growth phase.
- Kristina Hermanson appointed CEO effective 3 August 2026
- Hermanson brings 25+ years in agribusiness, FMCG, and investment management
- Current CEO David Surveyor to step down on 31 July 2026
- Annual fixed remuneration set at $950,000 plus incentives
- Board confident Hermanson will lead sustainable growth
New Leadership to Steer Select Harvests Growth
Select Harvests Limited (ASX:SHV) has named Kristina Hermanson as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, with her tenure starting on 3 August 2026. Hermanson succeeds David Surveyor, who will step down on 31 July after nearly three years at the helm, overseeing a notable financial turnaround for the almond producer.
Hermanson arrives with a formidable agribusiness pedigree, boasting over 25 years of experience spanning agricultural processing, FMCG, and institutional investment management. Most recently, she led Nuveen Natural Capital’s Asia-Pacific and Africa portfolio, managing approximately A$3 billion across 74 agricultural properties including almonds and macadamias. This blend of operational and capital management expertise positions her uniquely to guide Select Harvests through its next chapter.
Career Highlights and Industry Credentials
Before Nuveen, Hermanson held senior roles at FMC Corporation as Managing Director for ANZ and ASEAN, led enterprise transformation at Coca-Cola Amatil, and spent nearly a decade at Archer Daniels Midland in leadership positions across Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Her engineering background is complemented by advanced business qualifications from UCLA Anderson, Harvard Business School, and IMD Business School, underscoring a strong foundation in both technical and strategic leadership.
Hermanson also serves as a director of the Australian Farm Institute and has recently been a non-executive director at Marquis Macadamias, reflecting her deep ties to Australian agriculture and the broader natural capital sector.
Compensation and Incentive Structure
Her fixed remuneration is set at $950,000 per annum, inclusive of superannuation, with relocation allowances provided for her move to Melbourne. Hermanson will be eligible for Select Harvests’ short-term incentive (STI) plan starting October 2026, with a maximum opportunity of 80% of her fixed salary, split between cash and equity deferred for 12 months. Long-term incentives (LTI) also become available from October, capped at 100% of fixed remuneration and subject to three-year performance hurdles and shareholder approval.
The Board has implemented customary six-month notice periods and post-employment non-compete and non-solicitation clauses extending up to 12 months, standard for executive appointments of this calibre.
Board Endorsement and Forward Momentum
Chair Travis Dillon expressed confidence in Hermanson’s appointment, highlighting her rare combination of agribusiness insight, manufacturing acumen, and capital discipline. He emphasised the Board’s belief that she is well-placed to drive sustainable growth and shareholder value following a period of operational and financial recovery under Surveyor’s leadership.
Hermanson herself acknowledged the privilege of leading one of Australia’s largest almond businesses and signalled her commitment to building on the company’s strong foundations to achieve long-term growth.
Bottom Line?
Hermanson’s appointment signals Select Harvests’ intent to blend agribusiness expertise with capital discipline as it targets sustainable expansion.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Hermanson’s investment management background influence Select Harvests’ capital allocation?
- What strategic initiatives might the new CEO prioritize to build on recent financial gains?
- Will the equity incentives tied to performance trigger significant shareholder engagement?