whatever happened to dalton hallgren?, page-3

To answer my own question, I have just rung the company.
I asked for Dalton who 'was not there'.

Richard Cottee is away doing the presentations so was put through to a Mr Daniel White (LLB, BCom, LLM, Group General Counsel and Joint Company Secretary).

He advised that Dalton had left the company 'on good terms'. I asked why the website still showed him as COO. He said that the site needed updating as he left quite recently.

I asked if shareholders would be given the courtesy of an announcement about his departure but was curtly told that the presentation was the announcement - the new Director of Operations was named as part of the top management team.

When I said that I knew from Hot Copper and other sources that many shareholders had a high regard for Dalton for his technical expertise and for steadying the ship as acting CEO during the recent turmoils and felt that some explanation of his departure was warranted, I was told I was entitled to my opinion but no announcement was needed or intended. Mr White was dismissive of Hot Copper saying that if the company responded to everything written on HC, nothing else would ever get done. I responded that we were talking about someone who had been acting CEO and head operations guy and the company should be more considerate of shareholder concerns about these sorts of issues.

I have been supportive of the new management but the curt and dismissive response from Mr White is of concern as it shows a disregard for good shareholder relations and for transparency about the company. I can only hope that his attitude and manner is not shared by Mr Cottee.

I did ask for my views to be conveyed to Mr Cottee but won't hold my breath.