In a recent announcement, New Zealand-based seafood group Sanford has welcomed David Mair as its new CEO. The appointment of Mair comes as a significant development for the company, effective immediately, as outlined in a statement released on 1 May.
Mair succeeds Craig Ellison, who assumed the role of interim CEO at Sanford since August 2023, following the resignation of Peter Reidie.
Commenting on the challenges faced by the company, Sanford chairman Sir Rob McLeod highlighted the impact of the Covid pandemic, labour shortages, inflation, and geopolitical instability.
Ellison will continue serving on Sanford’s board as a non-independent director.
Having joined Sanford’s board in 2022, Mair brings a wealth of experience, including his executive position at construction products manufacturer Skellerup Holdings since 2011.
Mair left his position at Skellerup earlier in the year and has previously served as an independent director at Australian dairy processors A2 Milk. Additionally, Mair holds a non-executive director role at Kiwi investment management group Forte Funds Management Limited.
McLeod expressed confidence in Mair’s leadership, stating, “We are very fortunate to have David as CEO and I am confident that he will deliver exceptional results.”
Mair will retain his position on the board as an executive director following his transition to the role of CEO.
In a statement, Mair expressed his gratitude for the board’s support and emphasized his excitement in leading Sanford towards sustainable growth and success.
Established in 1881, Sanford specializes in processing a variety of local fish and seafood, including greenshell mussels, scampi, New Zealand sole, hake, and yellowbelly flounder.
Aside from catering to the New Zealand market, Sanford distributes its products globally in regions such as Europe, North America, the Middle East, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and China.
With approximately 1,400 employees across nine aquaculture sites, five processing plants, three fishing ports, and a fish market, Sanford continues to expand its presence in the industry.
