ZESPRI Group Limited
MEDIA RELEASE
2 December 2008
Lain Jager Appointed ZESPRI CEO
Lain Jager has been appointed Chief Executive of ZESPRI Group Limited, effective immediately, following five months as
Acting CEO and previous ZESPRI experience as Human Resources Manager and General Manager Supply Chain.
ZESPRI Chairman John Loughlin said the Board appointed Lain after an extensive five-month recruitment process. “We
followed a robust process which resulted in a good quality shortlist of candidates,” said Mr Loughlin. “Lain has grown
and developed in the role of Acting CEO in the past five months, and the Board is delighted to confirm that our industry
will continue to benefit from his experience, skillset and dedication.”
Following a career in various human resources roles, Mr Jager joined ZESPRI in 1999 as Human Resources Manager and was
promoted to General Manager Supply Chain in July 2004. His ZESPRI experience includes responsibility for human
resources, communications, grower relations, corporate strategy, supply chain and innovation. He was appointed Acting
CEO on 1 July 2008, following the departure of Tony Nowell.
“I’m delighted to have it confirmed that I will continue to be a part of the ZESPRI community which I’ve been involved
with for the past 10 years,” said Mr Jager. “Real strength exists in our supply chain and this starts with our dedicated
grower base and flows through to our loyal customers and consumers. I’m privileged to be surrounded by a significant
depth of expertise and experience, both within ZESPRI and within our industry, and I’m looking forward to the
opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”
“Final returns for the 2008/09 Season are shaping up well and I believe we’re well positioned for future growth. But we
can expect some challenges along the way as the global economic situation unfolds. I am determined that we retain our
regulated industry structure, that we unlock the value within our GREEN business, and that we continue to build demand
for our kiwifruit through new cultivars, brand strength, 12-month supply and product differentiation.”
ends