Group Chief Executive Officer of GraceKennedy Limited, Don Wehby has announced he is taking a temporary leave of absence for health reasons.

“This was a difficult decision but I believe it is what’s best for both me and GraceKennedy, at this time,” Wehby said in a notice to staff members of the conglomerate.

The exact nature of Wehby’s illness was not disclosed. His leave of absence takes effect Monday but there was no indication as to when he may return to his job.

Wehby said GK Group CFO Andrew Messado will assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the company during his absence, but said he “will remain involved at the strategic level”.

“Andrew has been with GK for 25 years and has served with me as a director for our company since 2019. I have every confidence in his abilities, and I know that our operations will continue seamlessly,” Wehby, who is also a government senator, said.

He added that he was looking forward to resuming his full duties in the “near future”.

Wehby, 61, was appointed as CEO of GraceKennedy in 2011, replacing Douglas Orane who retired then in keeping with the company’s policy of mandatory retirement at age 65. He first joined GraceKennedy in 1995 as group finance manager and was appointed deputy finance director in 1997 and then to group chief financial officer in 1999 along with added responsibilities as chief operating officer for the financial services division.

In 1995, 10 years after joining, Wehby was appointed as deputy chief executive officer at GraceKennedy Limited and chief executive officer of GK Investments. He resigned the posts in September 2007 to serve for two years as Government senator and Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.