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PGG Wrightson's Miles resigns over company's future

Tuesday 19th October 2010 3 Comments

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PGG Wrightson managing director Tim Miles has stepped down after two-and-a-half years in charge of the rural services group, effective immediately. The shares sank 5.1% to 56 cents.

Chairman John Anderson said the company's new business model and direction meant the MD's role would change, and Miles agreed that it was "an appropriate time for a change".

The company will undergo a process to find a replacement, and senior management will work closely with Anderson and the board in the interim. Miles's departure means the Wrightson leadership team has undergone a rapid facelift leaving just one senior executive, who's based in South America, left over from Craig Norgate's tenure as chairman.

Heavyweight director Anderson was brought into the fold last year after the company was forced to raise $250 million to slash debt by installing Chinese seed and agricultural research company Agria as a cornerstone shareholder.  

Last week, the company had its ties with NZ Farming Systems Uruguay severed after new major shareholder Olam International pushed to lift the buy-out of Wrightson's management contract with the South American farm manager and remove a five-year preferred supplier agreement. 

Businesswire.co.nz



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Comments from our readers

On 19 October 2010 at 10:01 pm Peter Hendry said:
Hi, what is the difference between stepping now imediately and being fired ? Just a comment from a tired investor. Cheers Peter
On 20 October 2010 at 9:12 am Mark Stone said:
The size of the payout
On 29 October 2010 at 5:10 pm Allan Sims said:
I think this is a very good decision undoubtably driven by the new chairman. The last of the Norgate cowboys ( and lets be frank he was only ever there as a yes man to norgate anyway)in Nz gone can only be good for us long suffering PGGW shareholders. Time to think about maybe increasing my shareholding which would not ever have been contemplated with Miles still there. A thought, havent seen Norgate snapped up by any large Corporates as yet have we?
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