New CEO for PGG Wrightson

Former Wrightson boss Barry Brook has been appointed chief executive of the merged rural services giant PGG Wrightson.

The other main contender was former Pyne Gould Guinness chief executive Hugh Martyn.

When South Island-based PGG merged with North Island rival Wrightson in September, it was the culmination of industry consolidation driven by Craig Norgate and Baird McConnon's Rural Portfolio Investments.

RPI took over Wrightson in 2004 and led the Wrightson takeover of Hawkes Bay-based Williams & Kettle earlier this year.

The company said Martyn had been offered a senior position within PGG Wrightson and an announcement was expected next week.

Brook was appointed chief executive officer at Wrightson after the RPI takeover. He had been with the company since 1985 and held several senior positions covering most areas.