Turners & Growers boss Hipkins leaves after exit rumour played down
CEO leaves the fruit marketer immediately, just a week after the company played down speculation his departure was imminent.
Turners & Growers chief executive Geoff Hipkins has left the fruit marketer, just one week after the company played down speculation his departure was imminent.
Mr Hipkins' exit is effective immediately and T&G will be led by chief financial officer Harald Hamster-Egerer and general manager of international markets Alastair Hulbert while it looks for a new boss, the company says in a statement.
The departure comes a week after chairman Sir John Anderson said Mr Hipkins was still chief executive and any change in the future would be announced to the market.
Sir John's statement was issued in response to reports in the National Business Review and Fruitnet that Hipkins was on the outer after a breakdown in his working relationship with the group's senior management.
The shares fell 0.7 percent to $1.54, and have shed 6.1 percent this year.
Germany-based BayWa Aktiengesellschaft bought former major shareholder Guinness Peat Group's 63.5 percent of Turners in 2011 and has since lifted its stake to 73.1 percent.
(BusinessDesk)
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Turners & Growers boss Hipkins leaves after exit rumour played down
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