CVT
23/07/2014 10:22
OFFICE
REL: 1022 HRS Comvita Limited
OFFICE: CVT: Comvita makes Executive Appointments
Global natural health products company Comvita (NZX: CVT) recently appointed
key executive personnel to strengthen the company's growth platform, and
position it for the next phase of development.
Key Appointments:
- Mr. Roy Ong as Chief Marketing Officer to oversee Comvita's global
marketing, brand and product development.
- Mr. Patrick Brus as Chief Corporate Services Officer to support human
capability and enabling technology development.
- Mr. Mark Sadd as Chief Commercial Officer to review business development
opportunities, productivity and cost optimisation.
- These three roles expand the current Leadership Team, which comprises:
- Brett Hewlett, Chief Executive Officer
- Scott Coulter, Chief Operations Officer and Deputy CEO
- Dr. Ralf Schlothauer, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Comvita
Innovations.
Comvita CEO Brett Hewlett said, "This new executive structure is in keeping
with the growing size, changing scope and complexity of Comvita and will meet
the wider needs of the business."
"With the integration of New Zealand Honey successfully meeting our strategy
for honey supply, we are now looking to maximize our investments made in
building production capacity and systems infrastructure to meet growing
demand and we are continually working on the evolvement of our product and
channel portfolio."
Mr. Hewlett said, "At the same time, I must announce the resignation of Chief
Financial Officer (CFO), Peter Moran from Comvita, with effect from Friday 29
August. Peter has been our CFO since July 2008 and during his time has made
significant and valued contributions to the Leadership team and has led many
developments within the Global Finance team. After six years with Comvita,
Peter now wishes to explore other ventures."
"We will now undertake a review of the needs of the CFO role and while we
work through this change, Chief Commercial Officer, Mark Sadd, has been
appointed as Acting CFO."
Background information on the new appointments follows:
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Roy Ong, BCom, PostGradDip (Marketing), INSEAD
Mr. Ong has responsibility for our Global Marketing strategy, developing the
global strategy, planning and execution for Brand, Category and Product as
well as alignment of in-market promotional campaigns and marketing
communications. His role will deliver a high degree of centralised
co-ordination of in-market and on-line marketing strategy to ensure
consistency of brand experience and overall maximum impact for our marketing
spend globally.
Mr. Ong joined Comvita in June 2014. He was previously the Global Market
Development Director for Kirin Holdings based out of Japan where he drove the
corporate growth strategy across Kirin's subsidiaries and led the marketing
strategy in Kirin's emerging markets. Prior to this Roy was the Innovation
Director for Lion Co. in NZ where he built the new Innovation strategy,
process and culture that delivered on NZ's growth strategy. This was preceded
with various marketing roles within Lion Nathan NZ and Australia, Abric USA,
NZ Post and Watties.
Chief Corporate Services Officer (CSO): Patrick Brus, BSC, (Labour Relations
& Educational Planning)
In his new capacity as the CSO, Mr. Brus will be responsible for business
transformation with focus on People and Infrastructure. He is charged with
enabling the growing of our global organisation with technology and human
capability with a keen focus on meeting our objectives in the most productive
and efficient manner possible, whilst holding us true to our common purpose
and our values.
Mr. Brus joined Comvita in 2012 as the General Manager, HR. After graduating
from Stockholm University, he worked in a wide range of industries both in
New Zealand and overseas. He has held a number of Senior Management roles
with leading companies in New Zealand including Fonterra, Fletcher Building,
Wintec and Air NZ. Patrick is experienced in change management and has run
major change processes in NZ, Asia and the Middle East.
Chief Commercial Officer, Mark Sadd, BBS, GradDipFin
Mr. Sadd is tasked with optimising costs and profits, reviewing business
development opportunities and acquisitions and reviewing major supply
contracts and commercial agreements. Prior to his appointment in December
2013, he had been working with Comvita on contract, assisting with a number
of cost review initiatives.
Mr. Sadd comes from a strong management accounting and entrepreneurial
background in agribusiness, banking and recently as CFO of Dominion Salt.
Over the past few years he has been running his own business interests, as
well as working with a number of local companies in various advisory roles.
# Ends #
For further information:
Brett Hewlett, Comvita CEO, 021 740 160
Julie Chadwick, Comvita Communications Manager, 021 510 693
Background information
About Comvita (www.comvita.com)
Comvita (NZX:CVT) is a global natural health company committed to the
development of innovative products, backed by ongoing investment in
scientific research. We are the world leaders in Manuka (leptospermum) honey
and fresh-picked Olive Leaf Extract, which are at the core of the Comvita
product range.
We have approximately 50% of honey supply under direct ownership or control,
with the balance of supply from long term contractual and partnership
arrangements. Comvita pioneered the development and use of medical grade
Manuka honey and was the first to receive FDA approval (2007). We partner
with US wound care company Derma Sciences Inc., (NASDAQ:DSCI), the global
licensee for Medihoney specialist wound care products, which are used in
hospitals and medical centres around the world. Comvita's Olive Leaf Extract
is grown, harvested, extracted and bottled at the world's largest specialised
olive leaf grove, with over one million olive trees.
Comvita sells into more than 18 countries through a network of our own
branded retail locations, online (nine country specific e-commerce websites)
and third-party outlets. We have over 450 staff located in New Zealand,
Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the
USA.
End CA:00252981 For:CVT Type:OFFICE Time:2014-07-23 10:22:12
