GlobalData
2 min read
Comvita has appointed Karl Gradon, a former CEO of a rival Manuka honey producer, as its new CEO.
The company, headquartered in New Zealand, has not had a permanent chief executive since David Banfield stepped down in August last year.
Brett Hewlett, who was the chair at the time and had formerly been Comvita’s CEO, took on the role of acting chief executive during what was described today (9 June) by the company as a “critical juncture for the business”. He will step down on 31 July.
In a statement, Comvita said Gradon has “extensive experience in global leadership within the primary industry, having previously held senior leadership roles offshore with Fonterra and Kerry Ingredients”.
Gradon worked for Fonterra for more than a decade up to 2014. According to his LinkedIn profile, he held roles at the dairy giant in Brazil, the US and Singapore. He worked for Kerry in Singapore for just over a year up to the end of 2015.
From December 2015 to June 2018, he was CEO of New Zealand Mānuka Group. More recently, he was CEO of New Zealand dairy processor Miraka for three years up to this April.
In a statement, Comvita acknowledged Hewlett's role as CEO. The company said during his ten-month tenure Hewlett has “brought stability and leadership through a significant period of transition for the company”.
Hewlett's stint at the helm included a “comprehensive cost reduction programme, organisation restructure and strategic responses to an extremely challenging trading environment”, it added.
In February, when Comvita reported its half-year results, the company revealed cuts had been made in its workforce under a restructuring exercise.
The company reported a net loss after tax of NZ$6.5m ($3.7m) for the first half ended 31 December, compared with a NZ$2.5m loss in the prior year. Revenue for the period was NZ$99.7m, a decline of 5.3%.
"Manuka honey firm Comvita names Karl Gradon new CEO" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.
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