Former Monsanto, Hewlett Packard execs join marijuana firm LGC Capital

LGC Capital executives, Former Monsanto, Hewlett Packard execs join marijuana firm LGC Capital

Diversified Canadian cannabis company LGC Capital is shuffling its leadership ranks and filling management positions by dipping into other heavily regulated industries, such as agrochemical biotechnology.

The moves are in line with a trend among fast-growing cannabis corporations – especially those with international aspirations – that are increasingly luring senior managers from the alcohol, tobacco and consumer packaged goods sectors to help steer aggressive growth plans globally.

Among the new appointments at LGC:

  • Richard Widmann, recently British American Tobacco’s area managing director, South Central Europe, joins the company as executive vice president, commercial.
  • Alistair Hide, formerly Monsanto International’s corporate affairs director, Europe, Middle East and Africa, joins as vice president, corporate and regulatory affairs.
  • Mark Shinners, merger and acquisition specialist and financial director at Hewlett Packard in the Middle East, has been appointed CFO.

“These individuals believe in what LGC is going on a global basis, and they have taken significant pay cuts to join our firm. They know how to work in the global scene, and they want to help build LGC,” the firm’s new president, John McMullen, told Marijuana Business Daily.

The changes are effective immediately.

Other leadership changes at LGC include:

  • McMullen shifts from CEO to president.
  • Mazen Haddad becomes CEO and remains co-chair.
  • Mark Shinners becomes to CFO. He replaces Anthony Samaha, who is departing the company.

LGC Capital is traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol LG.

Matt Lamers can be reached at mattl@mjbizdaily.com