Guiding with Experience. Grounding Growth in Trust
Our Board safeguards Nuchev’s purpose — ensuring today’s innovation becomes wellbeing that lasts for generations.
Ben Dingle
Founder, Chair & Non-Executive Director
Provides strategic leadership and vision for Nuchev’s long-term growth and purpose-led brand portfolio
Ben is the founder of Nuchev and a proven business builder with deep expertise in dairy innovation, premium nutrition, and large-scale agribusiness. He is widely regarded as a pioneering leader in transforming Australian and New Zealand dairy into globally trusted consumer health and nutrition brands.
Full Bio:
Ben established Nuchev Limited in 2015, leading it from start-up through rapid scale to a successful ASX listing in 2019. He served as Chief Executive Officer until October 2022, when he transitioned to Chair.
Prior to founding Nuchev, Ben co-founded Synlait Group (New Zealand) in 1999, where he played an instrumental role in expanding operations and guiding the company’s IPO in 2013. He led the development of a large-scale dairy aggregation across the Canterbury Plains — approximately 15,000 cows — implementing innovative irrigation systems and world-class farming practices. Earlier in his career, Ben owned and managed multiple dairy operations in New Zealand’s Waikato region.
Across more than 25 years in agriculture, manufacturing, and FMCG, Ben has built a reputation for commercial vision, governance discipline, and innovation in functional nutrition and dairy science. He remains highly connected across global food, nutrition, and wellness networks.
Ben holds an MBA and Master of Marketing from The University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Agriculture from Massey University. He is a graduate of the New Zealand Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Ben was elected Chair of the Company on 16 October 2023 and is also a member of the Audit & Risk and People & Culture Committees.
Jeff Martin
Independent Non-Executive Director
Brings governance, legal, and operational expertise across global food and dairy sectors
Jeff has over 25 years of executive leadership experience spanning FMCG, dairy, and corporate law. His career combines deep operational understanding of large-scale food enterprises with governance expertise across private and listed entities.
Full Bio:
Jeff is the Principal of Martin & Co Legal, a boutique Melbourne practice specialising in commercial, corporate, and employment law, dispute resolution, and litigation. Before his legal career, Jeff held senior management roles across the Australian food and dairy industry — including 15 years with Nestlé, five years as General Manager of SPC, and five years as Managing Director of Tatura Milk Industries.
He has served on several commercial boards and government advisory bodies, including the Australian Dairy Industry Council and the La Trobe University Regional Advisory Board. Jeff is also Director and Chair of Kyvalley Dairy Group Pty Ltd, The Remarkable Milk Company Pty Ltd, and The Pastoral Pork Company Pty Ltd (Otway Pork).
Jeff holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Deakin University, a Juris Doctor from The University of Melbourne, and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Australian National University.
Within Nuchev, Jeff serves as Chair of the People & Culture Committee and member of the Audit & Risk Committee.
Craig Silbery
Non-Executive Director
Brings strategic insight and innovation leadership across probiotics and functional nutrition and science-led wellness
Craig is a respected entrepreneur and health industry innovator with deep expertise in probiotics, microbiome science, and functional nutrition. He brings a proven track record of building globally recognised wellness businesses through innovation, research, and commercial excellence.
Full Bio:
Craig founded and led Life-Space Group, transforming it from start-up to one of Australia’s most successful probiotic and supplement companies. Under his leadership, Life-Space pioneered microbiome-based formulas for infants, pregnant women, and adults — becoming a market leader before its acquisition by Guangzhou-based By-Health in 2018.
Beyond human health, Craig continues to lead in science-driven innovation as the Founder and CEO of ilume™, a pet wellness technology venture that applies data and nutrition science to improve animal health. He also serves as Managing Director of Specialty Probiotics Australia Pty Ltd, advancing local probiotic manufacturing and research capability.
Craig holds qualifications from the University of Otago and the Macquarie Graduate School of Business Management.
Craig joined Nuchev’s Board as a Non-Executive Director in October 2023, bringing strategic insight in product innovation, functional nutrition, and the evolving global probiotics category.
Leo Zhang
Non-Executive Director
Provides strategic expertise in Asia-Pacific growth, distribution, and cross-border partnerships
Leo is an accomplished business leader with extensive experience in international trade, brand management, and cross-border e-commerce across Australia, China, and Southeast Asia. He brings deep expertise in scaling wellness and nutrition brands within high-growth Asian markets.
Full Bio:
Leo is a Partner at H&S Group and serves as CEO of the H&S Global Brand Centre (GBC), leading a portfolio of owned and strategic partner brands. Under his leadership, H&S GBC has grown into a high-performing international team with operations across Australia, China, and Vietnam — successfully expanding brands such as Brauer and BTNature® in Asia’s premium consumer health sector.
Earlier in his career, Leo worked at Ernst & Young China in audit and IPO advisory, gaining strong financial and governance experience across multinational sectors.
Leo holds a Bachelor of Finance from Xiamen University, with electives in Accounting and Marketing.
Elizabeth (Liz) Smith
Independent Non-Executive Director
Provides financial governance, ESG oversight, and strategic growth expertise
Liz is a Chartered Accountant and experienced Non-Executive Director with deep expertise in corporate finance, governance, risk management, and sustainability. She brings strategic insight developed through a career advising and guiding businesses across sectors including FMCG, food, and professional services.
Full Bio:
Liz’s executive career includes senior roles at William Buck, Grant Thornton, and Ernst & Young, where she specialised in corporate finance, audit, and strategic advisory. She has held multiple board and committee positions across listed, private, and not-for-profit organisations, including BikeExchange (ASX:BEX), Hub Australia, Pureprofile (ASX:PPL), and the Australian Red Cross.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and an MBA from La Trobe University, and is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants ANZ, FINSIA, and the Governance Institute of Australia.
Liz is the Chair of Nuchev’s Audit & Risk Committee and a member of the People & Culture Committee.