Wednesday, 25 November 2015 14:38

Boards of 13 prehistoric, says Gent

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Greg Gent with Earl Rattray and Harry Bayliss at the Fonterra AGM today. Greg Gent with Earl Rattray and Harry Bayliss at the Fonterra AGM today.

Former Fonterra director Greg Gent says boards of 13 are prehistoric.

Gent was commenting on early results showing over 54% support for a motion to reduce the size of the board to nine.

He thanked Fonterra shareholders for their support.

"Getting 54% support from a turnout of 73% (based on milk solids) is great," he says.

Gent says he will not be standing for the board again.

"Our motion has always been about a fitter and leaner board for shareholders."

The motion requires 75% support to change the constitution and will not achieve that.

About 300 Fonterra shareholders at the meeting have cast their votes and they are being counted; during debate it appeared that shareholders at the meeting were split almost 50/50 on the issue.

More like this

Farmers' call

OPINION: Fonterra's $4.22 billion consumer business sale to Lactalis is ruffling a few feathers outside the dairy industry.

Wasted energy

OPINION: Finance Minister Nicola Willis could have saved her staff and MBIE time and effort over ‘buttergate’ recently by not playing politics with butter prices in the first place.

Featured

Dr Mike Joy says sorry, escapes censure

Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.

People-first philosophy pays off

The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.

Farmer anger over Joy's social media post

A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Faking it

OPINION: Demand for red meat is booming, while it seems the heyday of plant-based protein is well past its 'best…

M.I.A.

OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter