Zespri Chairman Announces Plan To Step Down

MEDIA RELEASE 24 October 2012
Zespri Chairman Announces Plan To Step Down

Zespri Chairman John Loughlin has announced he will stand down as Chairman of the Board and as a director early next year, at a time still to be confirmed.

Mr Loughlin joined the Zespri Board as one of three independent directors on the eight-member board (the other five directors are grower-directors) in 2002. He became chairman of Zespri in August 2008.

“When I was re-elected in 2010, I signalled then that my intention was for this to be my last term serving on the Zespri Board.

“In line with this intention, I have announced my decision to stand down from the Board to growers, shareholders and other industry stakeholders,” Mr Loughlin said.

Mr Loughlin said the Zespri Board will now undertake a search for an independent director with the necessary commercial and financial skills and experience needed to fill the independent director vacancy.

The new director will be appointed to the Board once Mr Loughlin steps down and confirmation of the appointment will be sought at Zespri’s Annual Meeting in 2013.

With regards to appointing the new Chairman, the Board will work through a process to decide this over the coming months.

Mr Loughlin said to serve on the Zespri Board for 11 years was a privilege.

“This industry is one built on a pioneering spirit, camaraderie and a relentless desire to keep innovating and keep improving.

“While the industry is currently under significant pressure from Psa, I have no doubt that it will overcome this challenge – as it has challenges in the past – and will continue to be a New Zealand success story,” Mr Loughlin said.

ENDS

About Zespri Group Ltd
With sales revenues of $1.6 billion, Zespri is one of the world’s most successful horticulture marketing companies and the Zespri Brand is recognised as the world leader in premium-quality kiwifruit. Based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, we are 100 percent owned by current or past kiwifruit growers, and employ approximately 270 people in New Zealand, Asia, Europe and North America. On behalf of our 2,600 growers in New Zealand and 1,200 growers based elsewhere, Zespri manages kiwifruit innovation and supply management, distribution management and marketing of Zespri Green, Zespri Gold and Zespri Organic Kiwifruit.

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