Director and Chairman of Metcash Limited, Mr Carlos dos Santos announced today that he is retiring at the conclusion of the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 2 September 2010. Mr dos Santos said “In February of this year, it was announced that Andrew Reitzer would remain as CEO of Metcash Limited for the next three years when he would then retire. Having been Chairman of Metcash since 1998, I feel that the time is approaching to step aside and pass the chair. In order to provide a smooth... ...Read more »

The Chairman, CEO and CFO of UK-based confectioner Cadbury have all announced their intention to resign in the wake of Kraft’s successful takeover offer. The Board of Cadbury had been vehemently opposed to a Kraft deal up until a few weeks ago when a revised offer won their support and all three key managers wished the company well in the future. “It has been my great pleasure and privilege to chair Cadbury for the past two years, and I would like to thank Todd Stitzer, my fellow Board... ...Read more »

Procter & Gamble Chairman A.G. Lafley has decided to retire from the consumer products giant, almost a decade after first taking on the role. Mr Lafley, who became President, Chairman and CEO in June 2000, will leave on February 25, 2010. His place will be taken by Robert McDonald, who took on the roles of President and Chief Executive Officer when Mr Lafley vacated those positions in July. “Since becoming president and chief executive officer in June 2000, A.G. Lafley has refocused... ...Read more »

The new Chairman of Patties Foods has admitted to shareholders that the company has underperformed since listing in 2006, but is confident that the new leadership team can drive their high profile Australian food brands to new heights. “Clearly, (the) transition from a private company to a listed entity has not been without its difficulties,” Christopher Riordan said at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Melbourne yesterday. “In FY 2009, there was undeniably disruption... ...Read more »

Clean Seas Tuna has announced the appointment of John Ellice-Flint to the role of non-executive Chairman of the Australian aquaculture pioneer. The news comes as Australia’s share of the worldwide quota of Southern Bluefin Tuna has been cut – a policy shift that is likely to benefit Clean Seas in the long-term. Mr Ellice-Flint was until last year the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of oil and gas giant Santos Limited, playing a key role in the company’s strategic turnaround.... ...Read more »

Patties Foods, the maker of the iconic Australian Four’N Twenty meat pie, has selected their new Chairman – eight months after the resignation of Peter Kempen as “unforseen delays” slowed down the process. Mr Chris Riordan will assume the role, bringing with him his board experience from the FMCG food sector – having been Deputy Chairman and then Chairman of SPC Ltd and Deputy Chairman of Golden Circle Ltd. Acting Chairman, Ernest Barr, said Mr Riordan’s previous board... ...Read more »

Consumer products giant Procter & Gamble, has announced a change at the top of their organisation, with Robert McDonald taking over the role of CEO from A.G. Lafley. Since becoming President and Chief Executive in June 2000, Mr Lafley has overseen a company that has more than doubled sales and has grown its portfolio of billion-dollar brands – from 10 to 23. “A.G. Lafley has led the transformation of P&G over the past nine years,” Jim McNerney, Presiding Director of P&G’s... ...Read more »

Patties Foods, the Australian makers of Four ‘n Twenty pies, has reported “unforseen delays” in their attempts to find a suitable Chairman following the resignation of Peter Kempen in November last year. Acting Chairman Ernest Barr admitted that the search was taking longer than forecast upon providing an update to the market this morning. “Our Search Consultants, after extensive research, compiled lists of potential candidates in February – March 2009,” he advised.... ...Read more »

Warrnambool Cheese and Butter (WCB) has today announced a number of changes to its Board of Directors, including the resignation of their besieged Chairman. David Karpin, Chairman, stepped down from the Board amidst a campaign led by shareholders to oust him from his position. Mr Karpin, who will be replaced by current Director Frank Davis, follows former CEO Neil Kearney in resigning in the wake of a cancelled capital raising after a price cut angered suppliers. Tumultuous six weeks WCB cut the... ...Read more »

Patties Foods, the Australian manufacturer of pastry products, has posted a 35% drop in first-half profit after tax as increased advertising spend, pay-outs to former senior executives and higher administration costs more than offset a slight rise in sales. The small lift in sales was driven mainly by growth in the Foodservice channel. Retail Market Retail sales were down 1.4% compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, due primarily to supply constraints causing some out of stocks and... ...Read more »