A Message from Mark Napper, Outgoing Chair

Following Rob's announcement regarding the next chapter for Santos Organics, I would like to share some personal news of my own.

After nearly ten years serving on the Santos Organics Board, five years as Chair, and with my final term ending at the next AGM, I have decided that the time has come for me to step down as Chair and retire from the Board.

Over the past decade I have witnessed Santos Organics through periods of growth, challenge and transformation. Like many of you, I have celebrated its successes and felt the weight of its most difficult moments. The past five years, in particular, have tested everyone connected with Santos Organics. Our staff, suppliers, members, volunteers, directors and broader community have all shown extraordinary resilience.

When I accepted the director role nearly a decade ago, I hoped to have a positive impact on Santos Organics. A firm tenet underlying my decisions was what was in the best interest of Santos Organics, not driven by self promotion or ego. With the restructuring complete, a significant amount of the required funding for our turnaround secured and a highly capable team now in place, I believe this is the right moment to hand the baton to the next generation of leadership.

For the first time in recent years, I feel genuinely excited about what lies ahead.

The difficult work of resetting the business has now been completed. Through disciplined restructuring, significant operational change and the unwavering commitment of our leadership team, Santos Organics now has a clear path forward. We have the resources and the plan to restore the business to the thriving community enterprise we all know it can be. I acknowledge and thank the investors for their demonstration of commitment to Santos Organics . Their investment has made this next phase possible. 

I am pleased to announce that Michael Lyon will be joining the Board as a Director and Finance Advisor. Michael brings extensive commercial and financial expertise, and his guidance will be invaluable as Santos Organics enters this next stage of recovery and growth.

I am equally pleased that Rob Baldwin will continue as General Manager. Rob has led an enormous body of work over recent months to stabilise and reset the organisation. His commitment, determination and belief in Santos Organics have been instrumental in getting us to this point, and I have every confidence in his ability to lead the next phase of the recovery.

Looking forward, I am pleased to support the nomination of Garry Rodgers as Chair-elect. Garry has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help secure the funding that has enabled this next chapter. Many in our community will know Garry for the significant role he played in establishing the Mullumbimby Farmers Market and supporting the broader family of farmers' markets across the Northern Rivers. Garry brings decades of leadership experience, having held senior management and ownership roles across both private and public companies.

We also welcome back John Addis as an additional Director who will further strengthen the Board with his extensive commercial experience, knowledge of Santos Organics and insights and connection to the community.

As I step away, I do so with immense gratitude.Thank you to every director who has served alongside me, every staff member who has gone above and beyond, every supplier who stood by us, and every member and customer who continued to believe in Santos Organics during its most challenging years.

Santos Organics has always been much more than a retailer. It is a community institution built on shared values, local relationships and a genuine commitment to people and planet.

I leave knowing that those values remain strong, the foundations have been rebuilt, and the future is bright.

The next chapter begins now, and I look forward to watching Santos Organics flourish once again.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving this incredible community.

Mark Napper
Outgoing Chair
Santos Organics