I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be going if he wasn't confident things were looking pretty good now. His dedication to duty has surely been more than exemplary.
Barry has done a fantastic job, in my opinion. The company was somewhat lost when he arrived, but now has multiple international markets, considerable global brand awareness, excellent scientific prowess, and is probably now on a sustainable basis for cash as well, and quite a diverse income base to work with now, has multiple business partners who seem keen, there seems to be a solid staff now, and the company is hopefully about to look at profit.
It is sad that he didn't get the boom times as a reward while in office, but it seems pretty likely he will see those soon enough from the sidelines anyway. Multiple setbacks around 2011/2012 were not the company's fault, but cost the company maybe 3 years in recovery mode, and I was always keenly aware that that would impact on the working life of all staff at Blis. Three years is quite an extra cost in anyone's working life. Indeed, in my own investing life too!
Nine years is a long time to stay in a job, and we are very lucky he did. I have no difficulty at all expressing considerable gratitude for his time in office and admiration for what he has achieved. He has done NZ a huge favour in bringing this company to fruition. He has done so very quietly compared to other CEOs in NZ, but his achievements seem considerable to me.
Wow.