Winton Land CEO, chairman Chris Meehan resigns in an ‘employment-related matter’

“Mr Meehan remains a director of Winton and will consult to the company on major development projects, as required,” the company said today.

Steven Joyce is an independent director of Winton Land and has a new role.

The board has elected existing independent director Steven Joyce as chair, with immediate effect.

It acknowledged Meehan’s contribution.

“We thank Chris for the significant role he has played over nearly 20 years in building Winton.”

The board is confident that the senior leadership team will continue to successfully deliver on Winton’s plans and performance, it said.

Julian Cook is Winton’s executive director of retirement and has an expanded role.

Julian Cook, executive director of retirement for the company, has assumed an expanded role in an interim capacity to support the senior leadership team.

The board will start a comprehensive process to appoint a permanent CEO.

“Our priority is to continue delivering for our customers and maintain business continuity.”

Plans now on hold for the 12-level Northbrook Wynyard Quarter.

Meehan once planned what was to be Auckland’s first vertical retirement village, Northbrook Wynyard Quarter.

But that has been put on hold indefinitely due to market conditions.

Last year, the Herald reported an employment case against Winton.

A business-class seat on a long-haul flight was not up to the acceptable standard of the high-profile property developer, and he went on to let his executive assistant know exactly that.

“That was the worst f***ing flight I have ever f***ing taken, how the f*** did I end up in seat 29 between the bar and the toilet?” Meehan said down the phone.

On the receiving end was Leah McCann, who complained successfully to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) about his behaviour, resulting in Winton Capital being ordered to pay her more than $100,000.

It is a decision the company is set to appeal.

On June 24, Winton was trading at $1.52 but on Friday it had sunk to $1.40.

Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 26 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.

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