Monday, 03 March 2025 10:05

Wyeth to head Synlait

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
From May, former Westland Milk Products chief executive Richard Wyeth will head up Synlait. From May, former Westland Milk Products chief executive Richard Wyeth will head up Synlait.

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

Wyeth, a seasoned dairy industry leader, stepped down from Westland last month.

He takes as Synlait from acting chief executive Tim Carter, who will return to his role as chief executive of Dairyworks, a Synlait subsidiary.

Synlait chair George Adams says Wyeth is a seasoned, tested, and highly regarded CEO in New Zealand's dairy industry. “Synlait is extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to benefit from Richard's extensive experience growing companies in our sector. He has positively transformed dairy companies, and we are excited he is joining Synlait.”

Wyeth will be well known to many in the dairy community having previously been CEO of both Westland Milk Products and Taupo-based dairy company Miraka. He also helped establish Open Country Dairy and held management positions with Coca-Cola Amatil and DB Breweries prior to this.

Wyeth says Synlait's fundamentals are strong.

“The fact it’s now on track to return to profitability, after overcoming a list of challenges, reflects exceptional capability within the team. I'm looking forward to getting to know Synlait's farmers and staff to build on, and support, the turnaround story, which is already underway."

Adams thanked Carter for his stint as acting chief executive.

“Momentum is building within Synlait. Tim has played an instrumental role in driving this step change in the company’s performance and ensuring we are on track to return to profitability at half year.”

More like this

Synlait's back

OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.

Top dairy CEO quits

Arguably one of the country's top dairy company's chief executives, Richard Wyeth has abruptly quit Chinese owned Westland Milk Products (WMP)

Synlait sweetens milk supply deal

Canterbury milk processor Synlait is confident of retaining its farmer supplier base following a turnaround in its financial performance.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

Farming smarter with technology

The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

110,000 visitors!

OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.

Sticky situation

OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter