Mair named as Sanford CEO

New Zealand seafood group Sanford has appointed David Mair as its CEO, with immediate effect.

Mair was previously CEO of New Zealand-based engineering firm Skellerup Holdings, a post he stepped down from earlier this year. He replaces Sanford director Craig Ellison, who has been in the acting CEO role since August 2023 and will remain on the Sanford board as a non-independent director.

The company’s Chairman, Sir Rob McLeod, said: “The Board would like to thank Craig for his excellent service during this interim period as acting CEO.”

McLeod added: “We are very fortunate to have David as CEO and I am confident that he will deliver exceptional results.”

David Mair was named was judged Deloitte Top 200 CEO of the Year for 2021 in New Zealand and in 2022 he was awarded the prestigious Johnson Partners Leadership Award from the Institute of Finance Professionals (INFINZ).

Mair said: “It is a privilege to have this opportunity to lead Sanford, an iconic NZ business. I appreciate the support of the Board and look forward to working with the people I have already met and meeting those I haven’t. I am excited about seeing Sanford reach its potential as a sustainable high-quality seafood supplier, rewarding both shareholders and staff.”

Sanford is New Zealand’s biggest seafood company. It operates a fishing fleet of 13 deepwater and inshore vessels and farms greenshell mussels and king salmon.

Sanford mussel farm, New Zealand