Wednesday, 10 November 2021 10:55

Covid hinders CEO search

Written by  Staff Reporters
LIC has named its chief financial officer David Hazlehurst as the company's acting chief executive. LIC has named its chief financial officer David Hazlehurst as the company's acting chief executive.

Farmer co-operative LIC says its search for a new chief executive has been impacted by current restrictions imposed by Covid-19.

It has made an acting appointment: chief financial officer David Hazlehurst takes over as chief executive on December 1.

Chairman Murray King says the board has made good progress with the recruitment.

"We have been impressed by a number of high calibre applicants, however Covid-19 restrictions have impeded our ability to complete this process, so as an interim measure we are appointing David Hazlehurst in an acting capacity."

Hazlehurst joined LIC in 2019. Prior to that he was chief financial officer for Zespri and before that held various senior finance management roles with NZ Steel, Lion Nathan, Oxygen Business Solutions and Fonterra (in NZ and Germany).

King says appointing a chief executive is one of the most important jobs of a board.

"So, we will take the time to get it right. We know the co-op will be in good hands with David in the meantime."

Current chief executive Wayne McNee steps down on November 30 after nearly nine years in the role.

King says the board is grateful that Hazlehurst has agreed to assist when McNee ends his tenure.

"We wish Wayne all the very best with his future endeavours. The last eight years with Wayne have been a big eight years for LIC. He has led the business through a period of significant growth and transformation, and he leaves the co-op in good shape."

More like this

Every exhibitor with something valuable to offer for farmers

OPINION: Welcome to the second annual NZ Dairy Expo at Matamata – an event created to bring together the best of the New Zealand dairy industry in a focused, grassroots environment where dairy farmers and rural professionals can meet, talk, compare products, and make smart decisions for their farms.

Climate-friendly cows closer

Dairy farmers are one step closer to breeding cow with lower methane emissions, offering an innovative way to reduce the nation's agricultural carbon footprint without compromising farm productivity.

Featured

Wyeth to head Synlait

Former Westland Milk boss Richard Wyeth is taking over as chief executive of Canterbury milk processor Synlait from May 19.

Bremworth board upheaval

Listed carpet maker Bremworth has been rocked by a call from some shareholders for a board revamp.

Let the games begin!

New Zealand's largest celebration of rural sports athletes and enthusiasts – New Zealand Rural Games - is back for its 10th edition, kicking off in Palmerston North from Thursday, March 6th to Sunday, March 9th, 2025.

Breeder credits late uncle for hair sheep success

Southland breeder Tim Gow attributes the success of his Shire breed of hair sheep to the expert guidance of his uncle, the late Dr Scott Dolling, who was a prominent Australian animal geneticist.

The future of beef breeding

Progeny testing at Pāmu’s Kepler farm in Southland as part of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Informing New Zealand Beef programme is showing that the benefits of hybrid vigour could have a massive impact on the future of beef breeding.

National

Certainty welcomed

There's been very little reaction to the government science reform announcement, with many saying the devil will be in the…

Science 'deserves more funding'

A committee which carried out the review into New Zealand's science system says the underinvestment will continue to compromise the…

Machinery & Products

Landpower win global award

Christchurch-headquartered Landpower and its Claas Harvest Centre dealerships has taken out the Global After Sales Excellence award in Germany, during…

Innovation, new products galore

It has been a year of new products and innovation at Numedic, the Rotorua-based manufacturer and exporter of farm dairy…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

No buyers

OPINION: Australian dairy is bracing for the retirement of an iconic dairy brand.

RIP Kitkat V

OPINION: Another sign that the plant-based dairy fallacy is unravelling and that nothing beats dairy-based products.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter