Ashley Waugh Makes Way for New Leadership at National Foods

Mr Waugh has been with National Foods since January 2002, joining when National Foods acquired the King Island Company. He took the role of CEO & Managing Director in 2005 and oversaw National Foods’ acquisition and integration of Lactos Cheese in 2006.

21 Sep 2009 --- National Foods announced that CEO & Managing Director, Ashley Waugh has decided to step aside at the end of October, following the successful vote yesterday by Lion Nathan shareholders to accept Kirin’s offer for their shares in Lion Nathan and the resultant change in corporate reporting.

Mr Waugh said it is an appropriate time to leave National Foods, making way for new leadership to take the company on the next part of its journey.

“My career with National Foods has been exciting, challenging and rewarding and I reflect on many personal highlights such as the successful acquisitions including the major integration with Dairy Farmers,” Mr Waugh said. “National Foods has gone from $1.2 billion in turnover to $3.5 billion in four years.”

Mr Waugh has been with National Foods since January 2002, joining when National Foods acquired the King Island Company. He took the role of CEO & Managing Director in 2005 and oversaw National Foods’ acquisition and integration of Lactos Cheese in 2006, Hillwood Cheese in 2008 and Dairy Farmers in 2008.

“There are few jobs in Australia that are as fast moving - keeping 60,000 customers a week serviced across our fresh product portfolio,” Mr Waugh said. “Most satisfying for me has been working with a great leadership team on culture, values and vision and seeing great people within the company reaching their potential in terms of their careers.

“The time is right for new leadership, new thinking and the next chapter. National Foods is a great company with great brands and great people and I have every confidence that the Company will go on to deliver outstanding results in the years to come.”