Perfection Fresh CEO Michael Simonetta is to step down from the helm of the Australian fresh produce company.
Rod Quin, an executive at ingredients group Roquette, is to join Perfection Fresh in May and officially take the CEO role in July.
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In a statement posted on LinkedIn, the company said Simonetta will step down from the role on 30 June after more than four decades of leadership.
Simonetta’s tenure has seen Perfection Fresh grow into “one of Australia’s most innovative and trusted fresh produce companies”, introducing “game-changing” products such as Broccolini broccoli, Qukes cucumbers and Calypso mangoes.
He will remain involved in the business as a non-executive director, continue to research new fruit and vegetable varieties for the company and support its international expansion.
“I’m also thrilled to share that I won’t be stepping away entirely. After working closely with the board to ensure a seamless transition, I’ll be staying connected to Perfection Fresh in three roles,” Simonetta said.
Quin, who will assume the CEO position on 1 July, will join Perfection Fresh on 5 May.
He has worked at Roquette for eight years, most recently as vice president for global markets and customer management.
Before joining Roquette, Quin was CEO of New Zealand-based Westland Milk Products for seven years. He joined the company in 2009 after 11 years at Fonterra.
Dave Chen, Perfection Fresh’s chair. said: “Rod’s wealth of experience in global markets, leadership, and customer partnerships makes him the ideal person to take Perfection Fresh into its next chapter.”
Perfection Fresh operates farms across Australia, including glasshouses, grape and berry farms.
The company also works with farmers growing its produce varieties.
Perfection Fresh’s brands include Mix-a-Mato tomatoes, Ecoganic Red Tip Bananas, Sunworld Grapes and Perfection Berries.
The company exports fresh produce year-round, supplying seasonal fruits and vegetables to markets in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America.
