OFFICE: ALF: Allied Farmers Announces Key Appointments

5 Mar 2010 5:03 pm

ALF 05/03/2010 OFFICE

REL: 1703 HRS Allied Farmers Limited

OFFICE: ALF: Allied Farmers Announces Key Appointments

Following a review of operations, Allied Farmers Limited has announced a number of changes to its organisation structure to align resources and business focus towards achieving its growth strategy in the rural and finance sectors.

Legal Counsel & Company Secretary

Mr Ross O'Neill has been appointed Legal Counsel & Company Secretary - Allied Farmers Limited. Mr O'Neill is a highly regarded corporate lawyer with more than 20 years commercial experience. A former partner of Kensington Swann, in Wellington, Mr O'Neill serviced a number of high profile corporate clients and more recently he spent five years as Corporate Legal Counsel for Contact Energy, leading a team of professionals. Mr O'Neill has served on the NZX Legal Advisory Panel and is well versed in market compliance and all aspects of corporate governance.

Chief Executive Officer - Allied Farmers Rural

Mr Paul Macfie has been appointed Chief Executive Officer - Allied Farmers Rural Limited. Mr Macfie was previously Allied Farmers Group Chief Executive Officer and has an extensive background in rural services that spans over thirty years, and he previously headed Allied Farmers from 1998-2003. He was CEO of Williams and Kettle Limited from 2003-2005 and was the Chair of the merger committee between Williams and Kettle and Wrightson in early 2005. Mr Macfie was part of the senior management team at PGG Wrightson Limited, with responsibility for North Island District Managers, Agrifeeds and Fruitfed Supplies from 2005-2007. More recently before rejoining Allied Farmers he worked for the investment banking operations of McDouall Stuart, focused on Agribusiness.

Chief Financial Officer (Acting)

Allied Farmers has commenced a search for a Chief Financial Officer, however in the interim Mr Gary Wong has been appointed Acting Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Wong's most recent position was Chief Financial Officer, Line 7 / Canterbury of New Zealand. Previous positions include senior roles within Tyco New Zealand, U-Bix Business Machines, Reserve Bank of New Zealand and KPMG. Aside from financial management, Mr. Wong brings key strengths in mergers and acquisitions, business restructuring and business system improvements.

The company will be making further announcements surrounding the reorganisation of its business and subsidiaries in due course.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Rob Alloway Managing Director Mobile: 021 376 642 End CA:00192168 For:ALF Type:OFFICE Time:2010-03-05:17:03:45

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