LILO Desserts, the New Zealand “desserts for everybody” company, has announced the appointment of a new Board to support its next phase of international growth across Asia Pacific and beyond.

Co-founded in Queenstown by Russell Haines and Alex Worker, LILO Desserts currently operates across airlines, foodservice, QSR, retail, and healthcare channels in New Zealand. Building on strong inbound demand for its 100% New Zealand fruit dessert solutions, the company is now advancing market development in Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and the UAE, while actively exploring opportunities in China, Japan, Europe, and the United States—particularly within airline catering, strategic retail, and foodservice partnerships.

Experienced FMCG export leader Nicola O’Rourke has been appointed Independent Chair. Nicola brings deep expertise in scaling premium New Zealand food brands internationally, including her leadership role in Lewis Road Creamery’s expansion into the United States, and her advisory work with a number of leading New Zealand food and beverage companies.

Peter Carnahan, a South Island-based business leader, joins the Board as Director. Peter brings extensive experience in asset management and operations through his work with Trojan Holdings, overseeing diversified business interests across New Zealand.

Also joining the Board as Director is Richard Dunsheath, New Zealand Trade Commissioner based in South Korea. Richard brings more than 15 years’ experience supporting high-growth New Zealand businesses across China, North Asia, and the wider Asia Pacific region.

Nicola, Peter, and Richard join co-founders Russell Haines and Alex Worker on the Board, with the company also closely supported by Invest South partners Prue Halstead and Bridget Unsworth.

“It’s great to have an experienced and progressive new Board supporting LILO’s growth plans,” says co-founder and CEO Alex Worker. “We designed LILO’s dessert solutions to be halal, gluten-free, allergen-light, made with coconut and New Zealand dairy, in plastic-free packaging, and using 100% New Zealand fruit. Our Board recognises the opportunity to build a next-generation New Zealand brand - one that represents a complete, inclusive channel solution for everybody across Asia Pacific. With our Queenstown roots close to orchards in Central Otago, we’re excited to pragmatically trial and scale LILO in new international markets with the Board’s support.”

LILO Desserts is supported by BDO Queenstown and Invercargill and is a member of the ASB ACCESS Food & Fibre Programme. The company is not currently a focus customer of New Zealand Trade & Enterprise. For more information and any international stockist and distribution interests please contact below. 

For media and distributor enquiries

Alex Worker, Co-Founder, LILO Desserts
📧 alex@lilodesserts.com
🌐 www.lilodesserts.com