Latest news with #HughWilliams
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Jonathan Jamieson awarded Ravensdown's Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship
'During last year's harvest, I woke up at 5.30am to go asparagus picking to help fund my studies. 'This scholarship will allow me to focus even more on my academic and career goals.' The science Now in his second year of study, Jamieson's focus is on agribusiness and the science behind the industry. 'I've grown up working on farms with the goal of one day owning my own farm,' he said, calling during a break from the tractor. 'But deepening my understanding and learning the science behind it has been fascinating. 'My studies relate directly to what I'm doing now. 'When I'm at work, I can now identify different plants and know how to care for them.' 'I also learnt that farming is about looking after the soil, it sustains everything in the agricultural sector. 'We have a responsibility to care for it for future generations.' International travel Last year, Jamieson was awarded the Prime Minister's Scholarship, which allowed him to travel to Vietnam for six weeks. There, he completed an agribusiness paper and learned about the Vietnamese agricultural sector. 'It was an unreal opportunity,' he said. 'I loved getting out of my comfort zone and immersing myself in the Vietnamese culture. 'In Vietnam, they have combined rice farming and shrimp farming to make the most from the land. 'The shrimp help enrich the soil in the rice paddies, while the rice provides a natural environment for the shrimp to thrive.' About the Hugh Williams Scholarship The Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship was founded in memory of the late Hugh Williams, a Ravensdown director from 1987 to 2000. The scholarship, for the children of Ravensdown shareholders, aims to encourage undergraduate study in an agricultural or horticultural degree. Ravensdown chief executive Garry Diack said Jamieson's academic excellence and enthusiasm for the science behind farming made his entry stand out. 'Ravensdown and this scholarship were built on using science to better agricultural practice in New Zealand,' Diack said. 'Jonathan shows a clear understanding of the importance of science for all forms of farming, and a passion for its ability to improve how we farm in the future.' The scholarship offers $5000 a year for a student studying agriculture or horticulture at Lincoln or Massey universities for the duration of their studies. Applications for next year's scholarship are open and will close on December 15.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ASOS unveils restructure to drive growth and customer focus
British online retailer ASOS has unveiled a series of organisational changes aimed at reinforcing its customer-centric strategy to stimulate growth and strengthen global leadership in fashion. These adjustments follow significant strategic advancements such as stock level reduction, product improvement, debt refinancing and operational efficiency enhancements. The company emphasised that the revamped structure prioritises the customer in all its operations, expedites decision-making and fosters a culture of ongoing innovation and enhancement. The initial phase of restructuring, which started in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, concentrated on the technology department, leading to a nimbler and more effective framework dedicated to serving ASOS customers better and fostering growth. The company has transitioned to a product operating model, establishing product development teams (PDTs) that concentrate on key areas such as loyalty programmes, and Test & React initiatives. PDTs operate under the leadership of an engineering lead in collaboration with a product manager. ASOS has augmented its workforce with more than 100 software engineers and more than 40 product managers. In February 2025, the company appointed Przemek Czarnecki as technology executive vice-president (EVP), succeeding interim tech vice-president Hugh Williams. With the reorganisation of the digital product and technology functions now complete, ASOS is set to restructure other critical business segments to maintain its growth trajectory and improve customer service efficiency. The commercial and customer functions will merge into a unified team responsible for delivering an engaging customer experience both on-site and off-site. This amalgamated team will be led by a new commercial and customer EVP. ASOS is also adopting a geography-based structure to enhance local strategies and customer engagement. The company appointed Sean Trend as managing director for the UK and US. Jag Weatherley will serve as managing director for Europe and the rest of the world. Brand and creative strategies are combined under Vanessa Spence as EVP for this area of operations. This move aims to establish a cohesive creative vision for ASOS as a fashion destination. ASOS has formed a dedicated team for the Topshop and Topman brands, spearheaded by Michelle Wilson as managing director. Wilson will also oversee ASOS' global wholesale business which involves partnerships with Nordstrom, Reliance Retail and BESTSELLER. The people experience and corporate affairs and strategy departments have merged to align strategic decision-making with communication efforts. Ras Vaghjiani will lead as EVP for people, communications and strategy with support from Rishi Sharma as senior vice-president for corporate affairs and strategy. These changes will take effect in April 2025. CEO José Antonio Ramos Calamonte stated: "These changes represent an exciting new chapter for ASOS. By reorganising and focusing on our strengths, we're better equipped to seize opportunities and accelerate our growth. 'We will continue to innovate, collaborate and lead with our passion and commitment as we relentlessly pursue our goal of becoming the world's number one destination for fashion-loving twenty-somethings." In January 2025, ASOS revealed plans to overhaul its global distribution network as it aims to enhance its US operations. "ASOS unveils restructure to drive growth and customer focus " was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
