Paradise Group CEO Announcement
Monday, 28 June 2021
Paradise Company Limited Chairman Mr Anthony Smaré has formally advised customers and other stakeholders that Paradise Group CEO, James Rice, will be stepping down from his current role for family reasons at end of July 2021, and will transition to a new US-based part-time role for Paradise as ‘Consultant – Strategy, Growth and International Markets’.
Mr Smaré advised “Sadly, James has advised the board that the prolonged period of living away from his US-based family, caused by the difficulties preventing easy travel between PNG and the US due to international covid restrictions and limited reliable international flight connections has caused significant personal hardship for himself and his family. James has worked through this hardship over the last 18 months with support from the board and staff of the Paradise group. Although he loves the Company, his colleagues and the country, James feels he has no option but to resign from a full-time role at Paradise and return to his family in the US.”
Mr Smaré stated “James was recruited by the board as Group CEO in 2019 after an extensive international CEO search focused in Asia for food company leaders who had experience in developing countries with similar markets to PNG. James has vindicated the Board’s selection, by making a significant contribution to Paradise Company in his two year tenure as Group CEO – building a strong leadership team in the company, developing talented nationals, overseeing a strong recovery in sales for the Paradise Foods business despite the impact of Covid, and identifying and implementing strategies for long-term growth for the company. James has also embraced the experience of living and travelling in Papua New Guinea – becoming a great ambassador for Paradise Company and its values, but also championing the underappreciated attributes of PNG and the young Papua New Guineans he has met in his travels through the country, visiting 18 of PNG’s 22 provinces. He leaves his role as Group CEO with the appreciation of the board and shareholders of Paradise Company Limited and myself for his tremendous contributions.“
“Fortunately, From 1 August 2021, James will transition into a new and ongoing role with the Paradise Group, from his new base in the US, as Paradise Group’s ‘Consultant – Strategy, Growth and International Markets’. In that new role, James will support the Board, the Company and particularly the new CEO with regards to the Group’s growth strategies as well as driving the international export growth of Queen Emma chocolates into international markets as it strives to become PNG’s best-known export.
Mr Rice stated “Sadly, I will be stepping down from my role as CEO of the Paradise group of companies so that I can return to the US. The pandemic has left me separated from my friends and family abroad for more 18 months, and the situation probably has another year to go. I have loved every day spent in PNG, and everyone that I have encountered. Wherever I have gone in PNG, I have been greeted by friendly people. Leading Paradise and Laga has been a tremendous honour. Our team here has accomplished a huge transformation of our company that has inspired the nation. Luckily, I will remain involved with the company and continue to work for the Board of Directors on strategy, business development, and new markets after I leave. Leaving PNG will be sad. But I’m happy not to be losing my connection with the country, the company, and all the friends I have made here.”
Mr Smaré further stated “The Company is in an enviable position of having a very strong hands-on management team in place at Group Management level and in each division continue to lead the organisation. For those reasons, the Paradise Board is confident that it will remain business as usual for the Group as we manage the transition to the installation of a new CEO in the next 6-8 weeks.”
Paradise Company has commenced a search for a new Group CEO, assisted by HR firm CC Pacific
