Westland appoints finance chief

Dorian Devers joined Westland last week from the Linde Group (formerly the BOC Group) where he was financial director Africa, UK and Ireland and group chief financial officer for subsidiary Afrox.

Westland says Devers helped Afrox save NZ$48m, contributing to a 50% rise in its share price in his first year.

Westland chief executive Toni Brendish says she is “very excited” about Devers’ potential at Westland.

Brendish, appointed chief last September, has worked to improve Westland’s efficiency and cut costs, improve the co-op’s financial reporting and strengthen its core nutritionals market.

She also has a focus on partnerships with key commercial customers in priority, China especially. This has included strengthening the depth and experience of her management team.

Devers is the third new senior manager she has appointed, joining a new general manager China (Gary Yu) and a new chief operations officer (Craig Betty).

“Westland’s drive to improve its financial performance, and seek constructive mutually beneficial financial, technical and innovative relationships with key customers will be well supported by Dorian’s experience,” Brendish says.

“He has a proven record in leading transformational change in large and complex organisations to deliver sustainable benefits.”

Devers is married to Stephanie, a New Zealander, and they have three daughters Charlotte, Isla and Matilda. 

He will be based at Westland’s Rolleston office.