Download My CV

The Map of a Working Life · Northland, Aotearoa

JON BROUGH

Business Coach & Strategic Advisor

Portrait of Jon Brough
Follow the trail

Chapter II · Prologue

Every map begins with a philosophy

With 40 years of experience spanning agriculture, horticulture, seafood, meat, apiculture, food processing, retail, regional development, industry associations and business mentoring, Jon has consulted and led teams in NZ corporates, SMEs, startups and turnaround organisations. His senior roles have covered Operations, Sales & Marketing, Finance, Strategic Planning, General Management and CEO. As Managing Director of his own contract management company for 20 years, he has delivered measurable results in diverse settings.

Jon holds a BSc (Hons) and an MBA from the University of Otago. He has lived and worked in eight countries, bringing a global perspective to local challenges. His philosophy is simple:

“People and teams are the foundation, backed by robust systems and clear communication. When a company masters its financial data and processes, sound decisions follow and both owners and leaders achieve a healthy life balance.”

Jon wants to meet with you to deeply understand your business and your personal goals, and offer his time to coach you and enhance your skill levels in areas where you acknowledge you need some assistance. See it as a hand up so that you develop a heightened skill base to manage your own business to achieve your chosen goals.

40 Years traversing
industry terrain
8 Countries lived
and worked in
20 Years as Managing
Director

Chapter III · Home Camp

The Home Camp

Business Details — base operations for the journey, registered, licensed and ready in the Far North.

Field Guide Card
Legal Business Name
Middle Earth Foods Limited
Trading Name
Middle Earth Foods
NZBN
9429034506028
Address
434 Oruru Road, Taipa 0483
Region
Northland
IRD Number
091 979 314
Experience Providing Training

Chapter IV · The Road

Forty years on the trail

Professional Experience — four great legs of the journey, plotted west to east, south to north.

▲ Elevation 2026

Business Mentors New Zealand

Appointed as a Business Mentor, Northland region, to assist SME businesses with specific training requirements across a range of business competencies.

▲ Elevation 2024 – 2025

Business Advisory Partner — Strategize Limited

Advises clients across a range of sectors, applying proven frameworks and my own experience, for strategic planning, business management, financial structure, cash flow management, risk analysis, sales & marketing, process improvement, margin analysis and growth, team development and operations optimisation.

▲ Elevation 2003 – 2024

Managing Director — Middle Earth Foods Limited

My own Business Consultancy company focussed on 12–18-month contractual roles in significant re-construction of medium sized business entities. A strong emphasis on developing capability for growth into domestic and export markets.

▲ Elevation 1990 – 2003

Senior Executive Roles — Various Companies and Corporations

Held CEO, General Management, Strategic Planning, Operations, Finance, and Sales & Marketing positions across a range of New Zealand businesses.

Chapter V · Two Summits

Peaks that shaped the view

1991

BSc (Hons) — University of Otago

Marine Biology

1995

MBA — University of Otago

Specialisation: Finance & Strategic Management

Chapter VI · Traveler's Provisions

Core competencies,
packed for the long haul

iStrategic Planning & Execution
iiOperations & Process Optimisation
iiiFinancial Modelling & Performance Analysis
ivChange Management & Team Development
vSupply Chain & Procurement
viRegulatory & Compliance (Food Safety)
viiData Analytics
viiiInternational Business Development

Chapter VII · Guides for the Path

What Jon carries
for your expedition

Jon partners with businesses to:

  • Understand the personal goals of the owners — “why we are here, what do we want to achieve, what capabilities do we need to have to achieve this”

  • Diagnose operational bottlenecks and design efficient workflows and training needs.

  • Implement robust financial reporting and KPIs that inform decision-making.

  • Co-create a strategy roadmap that aligns with your vision and resources.

  • Build high-performance teams through coaching and structured development.

  • Integrate technology solutions (ERP, data dashboards, automation) that enhance agility.

Chapter VIII · The Chronicle

Words from fellow travelers

Nine accounts from the trail.

Chapter IX · Send Word

The trail head
starts with a conversation

Tell Jon where you’re headed — and where the route gets hard.