Zespri CFO resigns
Mervyn's resignation from Zespri's top financial position was announced yesterday, and he's due to leave the position in June after 12 years with the company, the last eight as CFO. Zespri's chief financial officer Mervyn Dallas leaves the company in June.
Mike says he does not know the reasons for Mervyn's resignation but believes they are personal. Linking the resignation to Serious Fraud Office investigations into a customs case against Zespri in China is unfair, says Mike.
He is referring to a report by the National Business Review online report today which says: “Mr Dallas' term as chief financial officer coincided with difficulties for Zespri with Customs duties from such places as Korea, China and Taiwan, leading to multi-million dollar fines for Zespri and a prison conviction of a subsidiary employee.”
However, Mervyn's said his resignation was totally unrelated to these factors, NBR Online reported.
Mervyn is not available for comment but Zespri CEO Lain Jager, currently overseas, has released a statement saying Mervyn has the respect and support of the industry. “Given what he has achieved in his 12 years, Merv's decision to leave and seek new opportunities makes absolute sense and he will go with a huge amount of support and best wishes from those who have worked closely with him during his time here,” says Lain.
Source: sunlive.co.nz