Auckland, New Zealand-based fishing firm Sanford Limited has appointed Peter Reidie as its new chief executive officer, three months after longtime CEO Volker Kuntzsch stepped down from the position.
Reidie has been CEO of the Farmlands Cooperative Society, a New Zealand farming cooperative, for the past five years. Previously, he worked as managing director for Australia and New Zealand at food manufacturer Goodman Fielder.
The appointment follows a recruitment process over more than three months, which assessed internal as well as external candidates, Sanford said in a press relase.
“The Sanford board is very pleased to have appointed Peter, given his relevant and lengthy experience as a commercial leader across a range of settings, and the deep insights he offers on local and international consumer markets,” Sanford Board Chair Sir Rob McLeod said in a statement. “Peter’s personal qualities and values shone out during the recruitment process. He is pragmatic and empathetic, has a strong focus on health and safety, and has the ability to get alongside growers and other stakeholders who ultimately give companies their social license to operate. All those qualities will be highly valued in his new role at Sanford.”
Sanford has been deeply affected by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its profits falling by almost 50 percent for the year through 30 September. McLeod said the company’s directors had agreed to a strategy outlined at Sanford’s most recent annual shareholder meeting.
“Sanford will get closer to its customers and increase our ability to create value, while maintaining our strong capabilities as a commodity producer of beautiful seafood,” he said.
Reidie’s start date will be announced in January 2021. In the interim, acting CEO Andrew Gargiulo will continue in the role.
“Sanford is a great business. Its people are highly engaged and motivated and I can’t wait to join them in 2021,” Reidie said. “I have fresh perspectives to bring to Sanford and I am clear on my mission. I welcome the challenge of navigating the business and its people through the current volatile conditions, while working towards a long-term vision to grow sustainable shareholder returns.”
Photo courtesy of Farmlands Cooperative Society
