Carter Holt executive takes on Richmond's top job

By LIAM DANN

Listed meat company Richmond has appointed Carter Holt Harvey's Richard Carver its new chief executive.

Carver, 41, is chief of Carter Holt subsidiary Ecopine and chairman of the Building Industry Federation.

He used to head building supply company Carters.

Graeme Milne, who has been acting chief executive at Richmond since John Loughlin retired 10 months ago, will stay until July 1.

Carver was born and bred in the Richmond's heartland, the Hawkes Bay. He has been based in Auckland but will return to his home province with his wife and three children.

The control of Richmond at present hangs in the balance, with the High Court due to rule next month on whether rival meat company PPCS keeps a controlling 68 per cent stake in the company. PPCS has just one director on the Richmond board.

Richmond chairman Sam Robinson said the announcement's timing had nothing to do with the takeover battle.

"The board has great confidence in the company and it, and the new chief executive, will work with whoever the eventual owners are."

PPCS chief operating officer Keith Cooper said the announcement was a positive move for Richmond and unrelated to the political situation.

Carver worked for Richmond previously, as finance manager from 1990 to 1992.

He also spent six years with Mars Corporation before joining Carter Holt Harvey.