Our People

Nutrano farm leaves

At Nutrano, it’s not just about what we grow – it’s also about who grows it.

Our team is made up of talented staff members who share our passion for fresh produce. We have recruited industry professionals to ensure an expert approach towards providing excellent service and produce to our loyal customers.

Jeremy Birt

Chief Executive Officer

Jeremy leverages a rich global commercial background that spans diverse industries. With a robust foundation in operational management, he boasts a proven track record of steering large national businesses through successful transformations. At Nutrano, Jeremy injects a dynamic and strategic perspective, drawing from extensive leadership in Sales, Retail Operations, Procurement, Merchandising, and Supply Chain. Committed to propelling Nutrano's growth momentum, Jeremy focuses on driving operational efficiencies to deliver unparalleled value and sustainable growth to our customers and supply chain partners.

Vladlen Potapenkov

Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary

Vladlen joined the business in February 2021 as the new Chief Financial Officer, looking after Finance, IT, Procurement and Governance. Vladlen joins Nutrano with over 15 years of global experience in the food & beverage sector working at a multinational fruit manufacturing company in Europe and Asia-Pacific holding various finance leadership roles and leading transformation projects most recently in Australia.

Anne-Maree Zietsch

Human Resources Manager

Anne-Maree joined Nutrano in May 2021 as the HR Manager for the business. Anne-Maree is an experienced Human Resources Professional with a demonstrated history of working in the transport and healthcare industries, providing first line support to employees and Managers on all HR queries. Anne-Maree is skilled in Compensation, HR Policies, Performance Management, Organisational Development, and Recruitment.

Michael Ladewig

Michael Ladewig

Executive General Manager - Sales and Marketing

A seasoned professional with a strategic mindset and over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing leadership roles in FMCG, Ag, and Horticultural sectors, Michael’s expertise encompasses a deep understanding of market dynamics, consumer behavior, and the development of impactful sales and marketing strategies for grocery, foodservice, wholesale, and export markets. Michael has led cross-functional teams and fosters a leadership style centered on empowerment, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to championing sustainable growth and category excellence for our valued customers.

Nicholas King

Nicholas King

Executive General Manager – Farming & Development

Nick brings over 30 years of extensive experience in the horticultural sector across diverse regions including Australia, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Beginning his career in farm management, he has cultivated a profound passion in horticulture and food safety, with a focus on people, quality and supply chain optimization.

Nick joins Nutrano from Costa where he was the National Farms Manager for Avocados, Bananas and Bananas and brings a wealth of expertise in managing multi-site farming and packing operations. Nick’s expertise in optimizing farm performance and staying abreast of technological advancements in the horticultural landscape will be a catalyst for driving growth and operational excellence for Nutrano.

Mark Leng

Mark Leng

Executive General Manager – Operations

Mark was born and raised in the Sunraysia region and is a well-seasoned fresh produce professional with deep roots in Citrus and Table Grapes. His journey began with hands-on experience on family farms during breaks from Charles Sturt University, where he developed a deep understanding of horticultural challenges and practices.

With a career spanning more than three decades with multiple facets of the industry, from wholesaling, retail, logistics, procurement, and has held leadership roles at Costa Group, Perfection Fresh, Holman Fresh/Freshmax and Fruit Master. Mark’s unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in the fresh produce arena is a welcomed addition to the Nutrano team.

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Our Growers