LeaderBrand’s Chief Executive Richard Burke will leave at the end of the year.
Chair, Susan Huria, has paid tribute to Richard’s leadership and years of dedication to the people and the business of LeaderBrand.
“Richard has been an integral member of the LeaderBrand whānau for more than 30 years. Across all aspects of the business, Richard has successfully led the valued customer relationships, team culture and company development. He has been pivotal in our change in direction from export to the domestic market, particularly driving our strategy around salads.
“He has been instrumental in acquisitions, joint ventures and the development and construction of our state-of-the-art processing plant, head office, and distribution centre as well as the development of our Future Farm’s greenhouse along our partners Kanoa Regional Development and Investment Unit,” she says.
Richard Burke famously started at LeaderBrand as a tractor driver, however his leadership, regional knowledge and farming background meant he quickly moved into management roles. He became the Chief Executive over 10 years ago when Murray left the daily running of the business.
“Everyone at LeaderBrand, in particular the Board and McPhail Family wishes to thank Richard for his incredible years of service. He has been key to our recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle and we certainly wouldn’t be in the position we are in today without Richard’s dedication, tenacity, and business commitment,” says Susan Huria.
The Board has been working on a succession transition for many years with both Richard and Gordon McPhail to ensure that when the time was right the business would seamlessly transition. The business will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, and an appropriate time for Richard McPhail, son of founder Murray McPhail, to become LeaderBrand’s Managing Director supported by Gordon McPhail as Executive Director.
