Wellington, June 23 NZPA - Former Brierley Investments Ltd public relations executive Tina Symmans has been appointed an independent director of Turners and Growers Ltd.

In March, Guinness Peat Group, the investment vehicle set up by Sir Ron Brierley, upped its stake in Turners and Growers to 65.1 percent.

"Tina Symmans has had 20 years as a strategic communications adviser to some of New Zealand's largest companies," Turners and Growers chairman Tony Gibbs said.

He said Ms Symmans had experience in the pipfruit sector and nine years governance experience as a director of PSIS Ltd.

Ms Symmans worked with GPG on its strategy to gain an exemption for GPG shareholders from the government's proposed offshore tax regime, according to the website of Senate Communications where she consults.

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