Zespri chief executive to quit in March

The chief executive of kiwifruit marketer Zespri, Tim Goodacre, will step down in March to pursue "other aspirations".

Goodacre, 52, was not available to speak to reporters yesterday, with inquiries directed to Zespri's chairman, Craig Greenlees, who said the resignation was a board matter and that was why he and not Goodacre would comment.

On Goodacre's intentions, Greenlees said: "He'll make an announcement in due course."

Goodacre, a former manager at the Australian Wheat Board, gave evidence in February to the Cole inquiry into the board's role in the UN's oil-for-food scheme in Iraq. He denied knowing trucking payments made as part of Iraqi wheat contracts were kickbacks. Zespri issued a public statement of support.

Greenlees said Goodacre's resignation had nothing to do with the Iraq issue. "None whatsoever."

He praised Goodacre's contribution at Zespri since January 2003. "He's done a great job in terms of the performance of the company and, more particularly, the relationships the company has with its stakeholders, the growers, and also within the business."

Greenlees said he was pleased Goodacre would stay until March to help the transition to a new chief executive and implement a strategic plan developed in the past year.

Goodacre had indicated he wanted new challenges and the opportunity to pursue another senior corporate role before leaving the business arena.

In a Zespri statement, Goodacre said he was proud of his work at the company but embedding changes throughout the business would require a three-year commitment.

"I have other aspirations that I would like to pursue within that timeframe."