Mark Cox – Founder and Director
Bachelor of Agriculture Production Management

Mark lives near Christchurch and as CEO of Craigmore Farming is focused on building Craigmore’s portfolio of high quality farms. Mark also acts as General Manager of Craigmore’s horticultural businesses, which include squash and blackcurrant production. These are operated under the Coxco brand, which Mark founded in 1996.

Mark built the Coxco Group of farming companies into a vertically integrated vegetable producing business and a major supplier of produce to Japan and other Asian markets over 16 years from 1996. Coxco is now in the Craigmore family.

Mark was raised on a sheep, beef and cropping farm before gaining a degree in dairy farm management at Massey University. After graduation, Mark joined Fletcher Challenge as part of their graduate management development programme where he worked across Fletcher’s group of companies. At the end of the programme, Mark was posted to agricultural company Wrightsons. Mark then joined agricultural food products company Cedenco Foods, where he spent six years as Fresh Crops Manager. When Cedenco was restructured in 1996 Mark purchased Cedenco’s fresh division assets and formed Coxco.

Omi Badsar – Managing Director
Bachelor of Commerce, Post Graduate Diploma in Information Science

Omi was born and bred into an Indian farming and military family 70kms from New Delhi.

Like many, he travelled to New Zealand to step out of his comfort zone and experience a different culture. Massey University and Palmerston North provided the perfect base, where he learnt about supply-chain management and life as a Kiwi.

Omi joined Coxco in 2003, soon after university, and quickly set about applying his training to the fresh and processed squash business and international trading.

Twelve years on, Omi now manages the Gisborne-based Coxco Group of companies. The group now includes Coxco Processing and Exports, Coxco Farming, Coxco Transport and Coxco Labour Solutions. His approach, to develop the Coxco portfolio by securing and protecting the Coxco supply-chain, ensuring customers receive the very best service, advice and quality produce. Omi is excited about the future and the prospect of developing further opportunities for Coxco and the possibility of diversifying into other markets.

Focussed on exceeding customer expectations, Omi believes there is always room for improvement and meeting market demand is always top of mind. The best way to do that is to surround yourself with great people and, to that end, Omi has developed a ‘people first’ business model, which recognises our staff are our best asset. Omi’s vision is to develop Coxco people to their fullest potential. In doing so Coxco can make a tangible difference in the lives of our staff and our community. 

Peter Nolan – Financial Controller
Bachelor of Agriculture Commerce

Peter is a consultant with Lewis Wright Agri Bus Consultants and lends years of expertise to the financial control of Coxco. 

Peter is our financial controller. He undertakes financial modelling, investment analysis and develops management reporting systems for Coxco and many other agri-based businesses in the region.

Dave Honey - Operations Manager Coxco Transport

Dave Honey is a born and bred Gisborne, He is a diesel mechanic by trade and has vast knowledge of heavy diesel machines. A familiar face to many , Dave worked for Muir & Baylis Transport more than 20 years and joined Coxco Transport in 2011. 

Lisa Loader - Administration Manager

Born and raised in Gisborne, Lisa moved to Auckland to pursue a career in travel and then moved on to the United Kingdom and Europe to broaden her horizons. With over eight years experience in horticultural export and administration management, Lisa knows our industry inside out.