SFF chief executive resigns

SFF chairman Rob Hewett says search has commenced for a new chief executive.

Hewett says the board is “understandably saddened” by Hamilton’s decision to resign, announced today.

“However, we’ve been discussing for some time the demands on him of working away from home, and appreciate and accept Dean’s desire for change.“

“Dean has achieved an enormous amount in what will be 3 years as chief executive of Silver Fern Farms.”

Under his leadership, the company achieved a recapitalisation through the $260m investment by Shanghai Maling and partnership with the Silver Fern Farms Cooperative: a 2020 business strategy was also developed.

Hewitt says Hamilton has realigned the organisational leadership team “to support that strategy, improved farmer engagement, strengthened organisational culture, rationalised our plant platform, increased investment in health & safety and sustainability, and introduced strong financial and risk management disciplines.”

“Dean will leave the company in its strongest ever financial position, with a clear strategic direction and a very capable leadership team.”

Hamilton says he is really proud of what SFF has achieved.

“We’ve got a really passionate group of people, farmer partners and customers around the world who are committed to the success of Silver Fern Farms. Having worked our way through a challenging period, we’ve now got real momentum in the business,” he says.

“Though I will be sad to leave Silver Fern Farms, I have real confidence that we’ve got the right people and capital resources to execute and win with our long-term plate to pasture strategy.”