A large organisation needs governance by a Board of Directors with strong expertise and qualifications in multiple disciplines. Good governance principles require a company to ensure the board contains the appropriate level of qualifications for the size of the organisation.
The recent call for nominations for the 3 Director vacancies at The Hastings Co-operative Limited has seen a remarkable level of interest from members in the wider Hastings Valley and Mid North Coast.
Ten candidates have offered themselves for election. They are: Anthony Abi-Saab, BSc; David Freeman, BTheology; Stuart Goodfellow, GradDipMktng; Robert Hamilton, Dip App Sc (Agric); Lisa Intemann, BAppSc, PhD; John King; Patrick McCann, Dip IT (Multimedia); Richard McGovern; Scott Newton, BCom; and Keith Wilkinson, BA, AssDip REC.
The board is keen to ensure that its composition reflects, not only the diversity of our community, buta high level of competency to govern a multi-million dollar enterprise and enhance Member/Shareholder value. After reviewing its historic skills matrix, the board has identified the need for people with professional skills; those who have worked in large organisations; in particular those with accounting, legal and marketing qualifications; would be the best fit with the skills of the current board.
A Candidate Statement for each of these candidates will accompany the ballot papers, together with how to vote information. The ballot for directors will close at noon on Friday, November 16.
An information session will be held at 5.30pm on Thursday November 8 at The Department Store in High Street. The aim is to allow members the opportunity to meet with the candidates, prior to completing their vote.
Under its rules, the Co-op must have a postal ballot to allow members to elect directors when the number of candidates exceeds the number of vacancies. An Independent Returning Officer, Mr Reece Dein of Potts Davis Duncombe, Accountants, has been appointed to ensure the ballot is conducted with the highest level of propriety and transparency. The Returning Officer’s Report will be read at the Annual General Meeting to be held on November 21.
