Fonterra chairman resigns post surgery
FONTERRA chairman John Wilson has stood down from the position as he recovers from a serious health scare.
He has been replaced by John Monaghan, from Eketahuna, who has farming interests in the Wairarapa and Otago.
Mr Wilson had undergone ‘‘significant surgery’’ within the last month and would require ongoing treatment, a statement from Fonterra said yesterday.
He would remain a director until the cooperative’s annual meeting in November, when he would retire from the board.
In a message to farmers, Mr Wilson said it was a difficult decision but ‘‘ultimately in the best interests of the cooperative’’.
‘‘I have made a very good recovery and am well but will need ongoing treatment. It has been a privilege to serve you as chairman and give something back to this great cooperative that continues to give my family and me so much.
‘‘As many of you will know from experience, governance roles are incredibly rewarding, but equally demanding on the individual and their families.
‘‘Continuing as chairman when I cannot put my full energy and attention into the role is not appropriate,’’ he said.
He would now be concentrating on getting back to full health and would not be making any further public statement.
Elected to the board in 2003, he became chairman in 2012 when he replaced Sir Henry van der Heyden.
He lives on a dairy farm near Te Awamutu and jointly owns a dairy farming business near Geraldine.
Mr Monaghan, a former chairman of the Fonterra Shareholders Council, has been on the board since 2008.
He had been closely involved in the process to appoint a new chief executive, following the resignation of Theo Spierings who will step down this year.