Agribusiness leader, futurist and food-system keynote speaker

Overview

Julia Jones is one of New Zealand's most respected voices on food, farming and the future of agri. Now General Manager of the Agri-Women's Development Trust (AWDT), with prior roles spanning rural banking, farm-enterprise specialist at KPMG, Head of Insight at NZX and Beef + Lamb NZ, she helps audiences cut through the noise around food, fibre, capital markets and the macro forces reshaping primary industry.

Who is Julia Jones? Julia describes herself as having grown up in the school of hard knocks – an upbringing she credits with the courage that has shaped her career. She spent nearly 15 years in rural banking before joining KPMG as a farm-enterprise specialist focused on the future of dairy, alternative protein and global disruption. She moved to NZX as Head of Insight, working at the intersection of agri and capital markets, before joining Beef + Lamb New Zealand and, in 2025, becoming General Manager of the Agri-Women's Development Trust (AWDT).

Career Highlights

• General Manager, Agri-Women's Development Trust (AWDT), from 2025

• Former Head of Insight, NZX

• Former farm-enterprise specialist and consultant at KPMG

• Almost 15 years in the rural banking sector

• Completed the Harvard Agri Seminar in China

• Stanford University emerging leader scholarship recipient

• Graduate of the AWDT Escalator Program

• Appointed to the Primary Sector Council

• Sought-after columnist for NZ Herald and Farmers Weekly

• International speaker on agriculture, food and capital markets

Key Speaking Themes

• The future of food: what farmers, processors and investors need to see

• New Zealand's role in the global food system

• Agribusiness, capital markets and sustainable finance

• Confidence and courage in navigating an uncertain future

• Women in agri and the next generation of food producers

What Your Audience Will Gain Julia gives audiences sharp, evidence-based thinking on the forces shaping NZ's biggest sector, served straight and with humour. They leave with a clearer view of where value is heading and the confidence to make decisions in an uncertain market.

Ideal For

• Agribusiness, food and primary industry conferences

• Banking, capital markets and sustainable finance events

• Co-operative AGMs and supplier events

• Women in agri and leadership programmes

• Strategy days and executive offsites

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Julia Jones speak about? The future of food and farming, New Zealand agriculture, capital markets, sustainable finance and women in agri.

What is Julia Jones's role? She is Head of Insight at NZX, with a particular focus on the future of agri and sustainable finance.

What is Julia Jones's background? Nearly 15 years in rural banking, followed by farm-enterprise consulting at KPMG and her current role at NZX.

Has Julia Jones studied internationally? Yes. She has completed the Harvard Agri Seminar in China and received the Stanford University emerging leader scholarship.

Where has Julia Jones been published? She is a regular columnist for the NZ Herald and Farmers Weekly on food, farming and rural NZ.

How long is a typical keynote? 45 minutes is standard with Q&A optional. Fireside chats and panel formats are also available.