Rice stepping down as CEO of Paradise Company Ltd

By PETER ESILA
PARADISE Company Ltd chief executive officer James Rice is stepping down from the position and leaving for home in the United States for family reasons.
Board chairman Anthony Smaré said Rice would take up a new US-based part-time role for the company as consultant – strategy, growth and international markets.
“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 has caused significant hardship for himself and his family,” he said.
“James has worked through this hardship over the past 18 months with support from the board and staff of the Paradise group.
“James feels he has no option but to resign from a full-time role at Paradise and return to his family in the US.”
Rice took up the post in 2019 after the board had looked around for food company leaders who had experience in developing countries.
Smare said Rice had made a significant contribution to Paradise Company in his two years as group CEO, “building a strong leadership team, developing talented nationals, overseeing a strong recovery in sales for the business despite the impact of the Covid-19”.
Rice travelled around the country mixing around with ordinary people, “becoming a great ambassador for Paradise Company and its values, championing the under-appreciated attributes of PNG and the young people he met”.
Rice will take up his new role from August 1.
He will also drive the international export growth of Queen Emma chocolates.
Rice said leading Paradise and Laga had been a tremendous honour.
“I will remain involved with the company and continue to work for the board of directors on strategy, business development, and new markets,” he said.