By George Anderson

Fleming announced that Mark Hansen resigned as the company’s chairman and chief executive officer effective immediately.

Mr. Hansen’s duties will be assumed on an interim basis by Peter Willmott, as ceo and president and Archie Dykes as non-executive chairman of the board.

Fleming has also announced that Robert Allen will assume the new position of acting chief operating officer.

Moderator’s Comment: Two Questions–

1. How will the Mark Hansen’s time as Fleming’s chairman
   and chief executive officer be remembered?


2. What type of leader will it take to reverse Fleming’
   fortunes?

We know that hindsight is 20-20 but Mark Hansen and Fleming
would have done well to follow Supervalu’s lead and walk away from signing a
distribution deal with Kmart.

Mr. Hansen planned from day one to turn Fleming into the
premier wholesale supplier of groceries to supermarkets, convenience stores,
etc. The company never achieved this objective. [George
Anderson – Moderator]

• Fleming
  Appoints Peter S. Willmott Interim CEO and President, Archie Dykes Elected
  Non-Executive Chairman; Succeeding Mark Hansen, Who Has Resigned – Fleming
  news release
• Fleming
  CEO Mark Hansen Quits – Reuters