Graham Kitson

Managing Director, JATRA GROUP

Graham Kitson is the Managing Director of the JATRA Group of companies which has interests in processed foods, fisheries, wasabi, plant nursery stock, wine grapes and active biological products. Mr Kitson graduated from Lincoln University in the late 1960's in Agricultural Economics and Marketing. He pursued a career in marketing New Zealand products in Japan after several years lecturing in economics at a Japanese University and studying Japanese language and business.

His Japanese market consultancy business established in 1980 has evolved into exporting processed foodstuffs, to food manufacturing and exporting. The flagship of the JATRA Group Hi Tech Foods Limited has grown to become a significant exporter of frozen roux, white sauces and other refined food products as well as bio active products.

The corporate focus of the company has been technical innovation with a special emphasis on technology transfer from Japan. Mr Kitson is a member of the Foundation of Research Science and Technology New Zealand Advisory Committee.