Geoff Ricketts, current Chairman of Lion Nathan, has welcomed the public recognition bestowed on Sir Douglas Myers in this year’s New Year Honours, with the former Chairman of the brewer made a Knight Companion of the Order of New Zealand.”As Chief Executive and Chairman of Lion Nathan, Sir Douglas led the creation of one of New Zealand’s first and, arguably, most successful trans-Tasman companies,” Mr Ricketts said. “Sir Douglas understood the potential for New Zealand businesses to succeed outside of this market and proved beyond a doubt that to be true.”

Mr Ricketts said Sir Douglas’ vision and passion for Lion Nathan were unwavering and the company operates today as one of New Zealand and Australia’s most successful beverage businesses as a result.

“Among Sir Douglas’ many enduring legacies at Lion Nathan are the strong management disciplines and practices he introduced which, until his leadership, were largely undeveloped concepts in New Zealand business,” he advised.

“We are extremely proud that Sir Douglas’ commitment to New Zealand and to New Zealand corporate success has been recognised by his country today and everyone at Lion Nathan extends their congratulations to him.”

Myers pointed to the success of Lion with their Australian expansion as a major highlight and said he remains proud of the board and management performance since his departure in 2001.

“Against all the odds and most of the commentators, certainly all the commentators over there, we survived and were successful,” he was reported as saying on stuff.co.nz.

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