Sean Hallahan, the CEO and MD of listed Australian vegetable grower and marketer Costa Group, has stepped down after five years with the company.
Harry Debney has been appointed interim CEO and Hallahan will stay with the company to support the transition. The company is recruiting a permanent replacement.
Hallahan was the company’s COO until March last year, when we stepped into the role of CEO and MD.
Neil Chatfield, chairman of Costa Group, says Hallahan has played a pivotal role in the company’s development and growth.
“We understand that the last two years, particularly in Victoria, have taken a large toll on the business and personal lives of individuals,” said Chatfield.
“Despite a challenging period with the Covid-19 pandemic and extreme weather conditions, the company persevered and maintained its strong financial position thanks to Hallahan’s leadership,” he continued.
Hallahan said he is proud to leave the company in a strong position financially and operationally despite the challenges of “an intense couple of years in agriculture” and the overlay of the pandemic.
“It has been a privilege to lead Costa and to have been part of an outstanding team of people for five years,” he added. “I wish Costa and its employees all the best for the future”.
Interim CEO Debney has been a non-executive director for the company since July last year, prior to which he was CEO from 2010 to 2021 and led the company through its IPO in 2015.
“Harry has an intimate knowledge of the company and is regarded as one of Australia’s leaders in horticulture,” Chatfield remarked. “He is the right person to assist the company as it transitions to a new CEO”.
