New chairman for Sealord Group

Aotearoa Fisheries Limited chairman Rob McLeod has been appointed chairman of Sealord Group following the departure of Shane Jones.

Mr Jones, currently the chairman of Te Ohu Kaimoana, was elected to Parliament in this year's general election and stood down from Sealord as a result. While he remains chairman of Te Ohu Kaimoana, Mr Jones told National Radio recently that he was in “a transition phase”.

Mr McLeod, Ngati Porou, said Shane Jones leaves Sealord in stronger shape than when he took over the reins almost five years ago. “Shane became chairman at a crucial time when Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd in Japan became a 50 percent shareholder. His leadership has ensured AFL has a strong relationship with its joint venture partner.”

He added that over the last two years, Sealord has posted record profits. In the year ending 30 June 2005, the company recorded a provisional net profit before tax of more than $53 million, an increase of almost $2 million on the previous record profit in 2003/04.

Mr McLeod thanked Shane for his service and wished him well in his Parliamentary career.

Rob McLeod brings to Sealord extensive commercial skills, leadership and high-level governance experience. He is a director of Te Ohu Kai Moana Trustee Limited and Aotearoa Fisheries Limited and has an indepth knowledge of the AFL businesses. He is currently chair of the New Zealand Business Roundtable and is a director of ANZ National Bank, Gullivers Pacific, SKYCITY Entertainment Group, Tainui Holdings and Telecom New Zealand.

Mr McLeod is one of the country's top tax experts, is qualified in law and commerce and in 2001 chaired the Government's Tax Review Committee.

For more information, contact Glenn Inwood 021 498 010

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Tiakina ngā rawa hi ika, a tātou kaimoana mo ngā uri whakaheke
Protecting Māori fisheries assets for future generations