Our People

Damian joined Ballance in March 2011, having completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) at Massey University.

Having grown up on a dairy farm in Reporoa, Damian furthered his practical knowledge of agriculture by working on a variety of farms both before and during his studies. He completed his Intermediate and Advanced Sustainable Nutrient Management certification through Massey University. He has also completed the Nutrient Management Adviser Certification Programme being one of the very first people to do so. Damian is focused on delivering good service and advice to meet the expectations of our key customers. One of his strong attributes is good planning.

Amy Tomsett is the Nutrient Specialist for the Whanganui/Lower Rangitikei. She has been with Ballance since March 2011, originally joining as a nutrient specialist in the King Country. After 8 years in the King County, she was a looking for a new challenge and the mix of Sheep & Beef, Dairy and arable was too much to resist, so made the move down to the mighty Whanganui/Rangitikei. Born and bred in Tauranga and raised on a sheep and beef farm in Hawkes Bay, she grew up helping her dad on the farm and that lead me into studying at Massey University completing a Diploma in Agriculture. In her weekend’s you will find her on a horse playing polocrosse in summer and out on the hunt field in winter exploring what rural communities have to offer.

Maree has been the Nutrient Specialist for Lower Manawatu / Horowhenua since January 2021. 

Maree grew up in Wellington and moved to the Manawatu to gain a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) from Massey University.  Since then, she has held various technical and R&D roles in the agricultural industry, including for AgResearch, Fonterra and ARL, giving her insight into a wide range of farming practises.

Maree and her husband have been in the dairy industry for over 12 years.  In 2018 they sold their herd and now are in an equity partnership on a 550-cow dairy farm in Opiki, right in the middle of her area. 

Maree is passionate about her community and enjoys being involved in local activities.  Outside of work her two girls keep her busy and she likes to read and fish.

Jess Guy is the Nutrient Specialist for the Upper Manawatu/Upper Rangitikei. She has been with Ballance since January 2022, originally joining as part of the intern programme. Jess further honed her skills in a secondment position managing a portfolio in the Taranaki and King Country prior to this role in the Western Lower North Island team. Born and bred in Taihape and raised on a sheep and beef farm in Tolaga Bay, her passion for the industry has been evident since day one leading into studying a Bachelor of Commerce Agriculture at Lincoln University. Jess loves getting stuck in on the farm and going hunting with friends and family. She also loves community sport, playing both hockey and netball for Hunterville currently and more sports to come. She is looking forward to crossing paths with everyone in her area.

Hamish is the Key Accounts Nutrient Specialist for Manawatu / Lower Rangitikei.

He originally joined Ballance in October 2018 as part of our Sales Intern programme based in the Western Lower North Island, before moving north to Taupo in February 2019. Through his career at Ballance Hamish has prided himself on his community involvement, challenging the status quo to support our environmental opportunities and trial work around the Central Plateau.

Growing up on a 200 ha intensive sheep, beef finishing and cropping farm west of Feilding fuelled a keen interest in the agricultural sector and being part of the farming community. Wanting to pursue a career in Agriculture, Hamish completed a Bachelor of AgriCommerce at Massey before heading overseas on his OE. His journey took him through Europe, the UK and Canada, and included working on Arable farms in Western Australia and Scotland.

He is a social and active person with an interest in rugby, motocross, snowboarding and hunting.