AUSTRALIA – Costa Group Holdings, Australia’s leading grower, packer and marketer of fresh fruit and vegetables has named Wayne Johnston to the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective from 29th June 2020.

With several decades of commercial experience across corporate Australia, in which he has performed senior financial management and reporting roles, Wayne is a proven CFO with extensive experience in complex operating environments.

Wayne has worked across multiple geographies, including managing transformational and organisational change in both corporate and operational environments.  

He previously served as the chief financial officer of Spicers Paper, worked with Symbion/Mayne and most recently served as the interim CFO of Sigma Healthcare.

“On behalf of the company I welcome Wayne to the role of CFO and note that he will bring to it a breadth of experience gained from a career spent leading finance functions for a number of Australian ASX listed companies ,” said Harry Debney, Costa Group CEO.

“Wayne also complements our business which has a strong performance-oriented culture, and we believe his impressive reputation for execution and achieving results makes him the right choice to lead our finance functions.

“I look forward to Wayne making a significant contribution to the future growth and success of the company,” Mr Debney added.

The company said in a statement that its deputy CFO, Mr Amin Ikram will act in the role of CFO until Wayne steps in.

“Mr Ikram has a detailed understanding of the Costa business and will ensure continuity in the management of the company’s finance functions during this interim period,” Costa Group said.

Wayne will replace Linda Kow whose resignation was announced by the company in December last year after a long career with the business through various iterations, including family ownership, private equity and public ownership.

“Linda Kow’s role as Costa CFO concludes on 1st May 2020 and on behalf of the Board and Executive, I again thank her for her exceptional service and contribution to the company’s success over her nearly decade of outstanding service,” added Debney.