O’Regan said he would stay on until March 31 to give Westland continuity of governance while new chief executive Toni Brendish establishes herself into the role.
This would also allow the board time to identify and plan its future governance needs, he said.
“It is vital that Toni has the support of the existing governance structure as she settles into her role,” O’Regan said.
“By the end of March she will have a very clear picture of the company, and any major changes she needs to implement to strengthen and grow Westland’s commercial success.
“This will be the best time for her and a new chair to begin working together.”
O’Regan said that Westland directors agreed to this approach because it represented the best interests of the company.
“It has been a privilege to have been chairman of Westland Milk Products for the past seven years and I remain committed to the company and to supporting Toni during the next five months,” O’Regan said.
O’Regan will remain a shareholder-supplier of Westland through the operation of his West Coast dairy farm.
