01 May 2024
Synlait announces changes to Board of Directors
The Board of Synlait Milk Limited (Synlait) announces that George Adams has been elected Chair and that Dr John Penno, the company’s Co-Founder and Board Appointed Director, has stepped down.
George Adams elected as Synlait Chair
George was appointed as an Independent Director of Synlait in March 2024 to fill a casual vacancy. George’s transition to the Chair role follows the previously signalled plan that Acting Chair Paul McGilvary would return to his position as an Independent Director once a permanent successor was found and elected. George was elected with the full support of the Board.
The Board thanks Paul for his service over the past six months and congratulates George on his new role.
George Adams commented: “It is a privilege to be Chair of Synlait. I look forward to leveraging my governance experience to help oversee Synlait’s path back to profitability and support Grant and his executive team’s execution of the strategy to do so. I thank my fellow Directors, including Paul McGilvary, for their stewardship and counsel during the transition.”
George will formally stand for election as an Independent Director by Synlait shareholders at the company’s Annual Meeting in December 2024. George’s appointment as Chair is effective immediately.
Dr John Penno steps down as Board Appointed Director
Dr John Penno, Board Appointed Director, will step down from his role. John co-founded Synlait and was Managing Director and CEO for 12 years. In 2018, John became a Board Appointed Director, during which time he was temporarily appointed Acting CEO and then Chair. John’s resignation is effective immediately.
Dr John Penno commented: “Synlait has come a long way since we founded it on a farm in South Canterbury almost 25 years ago. We now take world-class nutrition products to the world and have played a disruptive role in the growth of the New Zealand dairy industry. I am proud of what we have achieved. However, now is the right time for me to leave my leadership role with Synlait. I remain committed to Synlait’s future as a co-founder and shareholder.”
George Adams commented: “John has lived and breathed Synlait for almost 25 years. He leaves a strong legacy, which has formed the basis of Synlait’s entrepreneurial nature and spirit to do milk differently for a healthier world. On behalf of the Board, our staff, our farmers, and all stakeholders I would like to publicly thank John for his commitment and contribution to Synlait.”
The Board will commence a search to find a candidate to fill the vacancy of the Board Appointed Director role.
George Adams biography
George has outstanding commercial and governance experience with over 30 years of international business experience in the fast-moving consumer goods and telecommunications industries and an occupational health and safety background.
Before focussing on governance, George held a range of executive leadership positions. Notably he was, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand and Finance Director of British Telecom, United Kingdom. George’s governance highlights include being Chair of Bell Tea & Coffee, Chair of the New Zealand Grocery Council and Occupational Health and Safety Board and a Director of Hellers Group and Tegel Food.
Today, George is Chair of NZX-listed Bremworth Limited, Director of NZX-listed Arborgen, and Chair of the Business Leaders Health & Safety Forum.
For more information contact:
Media
Allan Swann
Corporate Communications Manager
P: +64 27 211 4874
E: allan.swann@synlait.com
Investors
Hannah Lynch
Head of Strategy & Corporate Affairs
P: +64 21 252 8990
E: hannah.lynch@synlait.com