By James Atkinson
Troubled NZX-listed craft brewer, Moa Group Limited, has announced a board reshuffle that includes new roles for two executives linked with Lion.
Ashley Waugh, who joined the board of Moa in September last year, is to assume the role of independent chairman.
Waugh was CEO of National Foods during its acquisition by Lion parent Kirin, and previously a director of successful Australian start up yogurt brand Five:AM.
New on the board is John Ashby, a food and beverage executive with a CV that includes seven years in brewery management and strategic projects at Lion Nathan, between 1984 and 1991. He is currently a director of Yealands Wine Group, among other board responsibilities.
Current chairman, Grant Baker, will remain on the board as a non-executive director. Alistair Ryan, a director since the company listed, is retiring from the board in order to rebalance his portfolio of other directorships and business interests.
Moa said the reshuffle aimed to “strengthen the company’s focus on growth in its primary markets of New Zealand and Australia”.
Moa has endured a torrid time since listing on the NZX in November 2012, its shares last trading at 42 cents on Thursday as compared with an IPO price of $1.25.