Wednesday, 23 August 2023 14:25

Ruralco CEO resigns

Written by  Staff Reporters
Robert Sharkie. Robert Sharkie.

Ruralco Group chief executive Robert Sharkie is resigning after six years in the role and eight years with the co-operative.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Ruralco, the challenges it has provided and I am very proud of Ruralco’s achievements during my time at the helm,” says Sharkie.

“It is the dedication and the passion of the people who work for Ruralco that has made these achievements possible and I commend them for their efforts and wish them well,” he adds.

Sir David Carter, chairman of Ruralco, says he has accepted Sharkie’s decision with mixed emotions.

“Rob’s contribution to Ruralco has been significant, but I respect his decision that the time is right for him to pursue another chapter in his life,” Carter says. “He leaves with my complete support and best wishes for his future endeavours.”

Ruralco’s GM people and culture Tony Aitken will step into the role of acting chief executive while the board initiates its recruitment process for a new chief executive.

Aitken comes from a background in people leadership and was part of Synlait’s journey as it grew from 140 staff to over 1,000.

He will begin in the acting chief executive position at Ruralco on 1 September 2023.

More like this

Small, nimble and local

Stay local. That's the message Canterbury rural trader Ruralco received from its 3000 shareholders.

Featured

Bremworth CEO departs

Three weeks on from Bremworth’s board overhaul, the carpet maker’s chief executive Greg Smith is stepping down.

Wool-shedding sheep key to remote farm operation

For Marlborough Sounds farmer Noel Moleta, farming hair sheep that need no shearing is one of the keys to running a low-input, low-intervention operation in a difficult and highly remote location.

Editorial: Getting the RMA overhaul right

OPINION: Making it easier to get things done while protecting the environment - that's the Government's promise when it comes to the overhaul of the problematic Resource Management Act (RMA).

DairyNZ board sets new levy rate

DairyNZ has set a new levy rate of 4.5c/kgMS from 1 June 2025 and aims to keep the levy at no more than this rate for a minimum of three years.

Positive first year for ZAG fund

As it enters its second year, Zespri says the first year of the Zespri Innovation Fund (ZAG), has been “really positive”.

National

Machinery & Products

Alpego eyes electric power harrow

Distributed by OriginAg in New Zealand, Italian manufacturer Alpego recently showed its three metre Alysium electric power harrow at the…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Risky business

OPINION: In the same way that even a stopped clock is right twice a day, economists sometimes get it right.

Should've waited

OPINION: The proposed RMA reforms took a while to drop but were well signaled after the election.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter