Zespri chairman to step down

Chairman of Zespri, Peter McBride, has announced his retirement.

Mr McBride,who has chaired the board of the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit since 2013, will step down as chairman in February 2019.

He will retire as a director of Zespri at the company's next annual meeting in July 2019.

He has been a director since 2002, and has served as chairman during a period of change and expansion. 

This includes the industry's return to growth following the impact of Psa. He has also overseen a premium brand-led strategy and the expansion of Zespri SunGold to meet burgeoning demand in the markets. 

He said it has been a privilege serving an industry that has shown strength through its cooperative spirit.

"Our kiwifruit industry has stepped through a number of challenges but we have demonstrated time and time again the cohesiveness of our industry, and our ability to act in its common interest," he said.

"I have been in a fortunate position to see through significant changes, and as a kiwifruit grower I am looking forward to Zespri's continued success as it transforms to serve more and more customers around the world," said Mr McBride.

Deputy chairman Bruce Cameron will become chairman in February 2019. 

Mr Cameron is a long-time kiwifruit grower and has been a director of Zespri since 2010. 

Newshub.