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FARMER OPINION

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All opinion letters must be accompanied by the writer's name, postal address and phone number. While the writer's name will be published these other details will not (unless the writer specifies). Opinions expressed on Farmnews are not necessarily that of Farmnews, or its writers. Farmnews reserves the right to edit letters for length, sense and for legal reasons.

Latest Responses (this topic):
8 February 1008:
Gerry Eckhoff, Roxburgh

29 January 2009:
J McNaughton
Alliance chairman decision disappoints

8 February 2008

The announcement of Owen Poole as the new chair of Alliance Group does not bode well for the future.

While the experience and industry network of Mr Poole will be of value, the company has sent out a very clear signal that we can only expect more of the same.

It is very rare for a past CEO of a company to be invited to join the board let alone become the chairman.

Rod Deane was the only one that I can think of and he was a real talent.

The principle and the practice is wrong.

The temptation for Mr Poole to involve himself in management and not stick to governance - is very real - and wrong.

I regret the appointment and point out that the lack of real leadership training on the board has lead to this unfortunate situation.

Gerry Eckhoff, Roxburgh

Decision on Alliance chairman concerns

29 January 2008

On the brink of the Alliance Group February Board meeting we can only wait and hope that commonsense prevails with the selecting of the new Board Chairman.

David Mackenzie, the interim Chairman, does not want the job and likewise the new bloods, Mark Crawford and Jason Miller, are unlikely to want to grab the reins.

In December farmers voted overwhelming for change and this means any Board member in favour of the previous 'old boys club' is not going to be acceptable.

I was amazed by the board's announcement of the return of Owen Poole and couldn't help but think it was part of a hard-hitting pre-orchestrated plan to keep the status quo.

During his time as CEO, Owen Poole may have overseen the lifting of Alliance Group Ltd to a certain level of operating success but not to a great level and definitely not a sustainable one as we have seen in recent times.

Looks to me as though he hopped out of the CEO hot seat just in time!

Farmers have been saying they want change and in December Alliance Shareholders voted for it overwhelmingly.

Board members must listen and respect this and ensure the new Chairman will represent shareholders and their views.

All hell is likely to break loose otherwise.

- D Williams

29 January 2008

I too am concerned that the board of Alliance might not have got the message from farmers. I know that it was delivered pretty soundly but I wonder that the board won't revert back to its usual arrogant self.

The last thing we want is the board putting someone with old ideas into the position of Chairman.

D Williams makes mention of Owen Poole.

I was always a great supporter of Mr Poole and believe he has done an exceptional job in the meat industry but I did have to laugh when I read he had been looked upon as an independent adviser for the PWC report.

But, having said that I too, am against any merger between Alliance and PPCS.

- J McNaughton

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