Our Team.

Aquaculture Direct provides exclusive consultancy services to and in support of the New Zealand aquaculture industry, Iwi, Government and local authorities.

Ned Wells

CEO

Ned is an environmental scientist with over 12 years’ public and private sector experience. Ned’s skillset includes an interesting blend of scientific and policy competencies, along with extensive engineering, project/contract management and aquaculture experience. Ned is also the General Manager of the Marine Farming Association, an industry body representing salmon, oyster and mussel growers across the top of the South Island. In this role he is at the forefront of the research, policy, environmental and operational matters relevant to the aquaculture industry.

Rebecca Clarkson

Principal Advisor – Director

Rebecca Clarkson has 20 years’ experience in a variety of roles within the aquaculture industry in New Zealand. Rebecca’s area of expertise includes regional and central government policy and planning, advocacy, environmental management and quality programmes. Through her formal qualifications and extensive industry knowledge and experience, Rebecca is well placed to provide clients with advice and advocacy on legislative and regional policy and planning matters.

Bruce Cardwell

Innovations and Business Development

Bruce has worked in the marine farming industry for 28 years in various operational and management roles, including establishing Aquaculture Direct Limited in 2010. He specialises in resource consenting, strategic planning, and value adding, especially around marine based nutraceuticals products.

Amanda Gregg

Business Administrator

Amanda has 25 years’ experience in business operations, financial management, and project management in a variety of industry sectors. Amanda’s role includes providing financial and administration support for multi-party marine farms based in Golden and Tasman Bays and assisting with ADL’s various projects. Amanda enjoys developing and improving business processes that help benefit client experience and drive our engine room.

Graeme Coates

Business Development Associate

Graeme Coates has worked in the marine farming industry for 45 years, initially to establish the salmon farming industry in New Zealand and then as the Executive Officer of the Marine Farming Association. Graeme specialises in the management of large-scale multi-party marine farm sites and Chairs the Bay of Plenty Regional Aquaculture Organisation. Graeme is a Risk Assessment Advisor for AHL, a specialist aquaculture insurance broker working for Lloyds (London).

Dr Glenn Vile

Glenn has an extensive record of commercialising New Zealand’s fantastic array of raw materials. He has 14 years of academic research experience, both in New Zealand and in Switzerland, during which he published numerous peer reviewed science papers and developed an in-depth understanding of the health benefits of natural bioactive products. Glenn has the capability to assist companies who are looking to develop and take to market innovative health ingredients and finished products supported by science. Glenn sees huge potential for New Zealand products in the global market because of our reputation for quality and our array of unique indigenous species.

The Directors and Associates are professional and practical people with extensive experience, knowledge and understanding of the New Zealand aquaculture industry.