Banana boss steps down

Fruit distribution company Fyffes have announced the resignation of their chief executive who is leaving to take up the role of chief executive with Vhi Healthcare.

Fruit distribution company Fyffes have announced the resignation of their chief executive Jimmy Tolan, who is leaving to take up the role of chief executive with Vhi Healthcare.

Executive chairman David McCann, will assume responsibility for the role of chief executive, which he previously held from 1995 to 2006.

David McCann said: "Jimmy has been a key member of the group’s management team since he joined Fyffes in 1990.

"As head of corporate development for most of that time, he was deeply involved in the Group’s acquisition led growth over the past two decades and was subsequently appointed Chief Executive at the beginning of 2007.

"He leaves a strong and experienced management team in Fyffes which is capable of building on the progress achieved in the first year of the Group’s medium term strategic plan, which aims to double the size of the business by 2011.

Jimmy Tolan said: "I have enjoyed my eighteen years with Fyffes immensely and am pleased that I will have a continuing involvement with the group as a non-executive director.

"It is the right time for me personally to move on to a new role in a sector in which I have always had a particular interest. I am confident that the management team in Fyffes will continue to successfully implement its medium term strategic plan."