FHL confirms board changes

June 17, 2008 01:09:30 PM

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After the shock boardroom coup last week, the Fijian Holdings Limited this morning released a statement announcing new changes to the board.

Robin Storck, the incoming FHL chairman said: “The board has today endorsed the appointment of new board members made by the Minister of Fijian Affairs (interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama) to fill casual vacancies for B-Class directors on the FHL board.”

The statement said the board has accepted the resignation of outgoing chairman Josaia Mar and has appointed Robin Storck as the new chairman and Colonel Mohammed Aziz as the deputy chairman.

It confirmed the new appointments including Robin Storck, Padam Lala, Colonel Aziz and Sereana Qoro.

These directors were appointed to replace Sekonaia Tui Mailekai, Iowane Naiveli and Asif Razak who have tendered in their resignations as directors representing B-Class shareholders, the statement said.

Meanwhile, Alice Tabete’s seat on the board has been declared vacant because of her absence for three consecutive meetings without special leave of absence from the directors, Storck added.

Tabete travelled to the World Netball championship held in New Zealand late last year and did not return. She asked for refugee status to stay in the country, saying she was unfairly being investigated by FICAC for alleged abuse of office.

Storck said the new appointments would join existing directors Ulaiasi Baya and Isoa Kaloumaira as B-Class representatives on the board.

“The board also formally accepted the resignation of Isikeli Tuituku as a director representing A-Class shareholders, who has joined ANZ Australia as part of the Pacific Division’.”

The statement said the board accepted Sitiveni Weleilakeba’s resignation and has appointed Sereana Qoro as the new group managing director for Fijian Holdings Limited, effective immediately.

“Ms Qoro will take over the position of group managing director from Mr Weleilakeba, who has been with Fijian Holdings for the past 24 years and the board graciously acknowledges his contribution during this period.”

Storck said Weleilakeba will continue as a director representing A-Class shareholders.

He further added that Ms Qoro had been seconded by Fijian Holdings Limited to Basic Industries Limited and Fiji Industries Limited for the past nine years and the board felt confident that she had the capabilities and the appropriate experience from within the FHL Group to take the company into its next phase of growth.

Storck said that the board recognises that FHL has left a legacy for the past 20 years and is now one of the largest companies in Fiji.

“The decision to recruit from within is a strategic one and has been part of the Fijian Holdings Group’s succession planning strategy.

“We certainly wish to thank those who have come before us for bringing the company this far.

“We would like to reassure our shareholders and investment partners that their interests remain our paramount focus as has always been.”