Australian Industry Group salutes confectionery sector stalwart Alister Haigh upon his retirement as CEO, announced today.
Mr Haigh, a fourth-generation chocolatier, has led Adelaide-based Haigh’s Chocolates — Australia’s oldest family-owned chocolate maker — for the past 30 years.
Tim Piper, Head of Australian Industry Group’s Confectionery Sector and Head of Victoria, paid tribute to Mr Haigh for his tremendous service to the confectionery industry.
“Alister is a doyen of the confectionery industry and has been a leader both at Haigh’s and within the broader confectionery community,” Mr Piper, pictured with Mr Haigh, said.
“He is an unassuming leader who has created a proud legacy, recognised by being awarded the Alfred Stauder Award for Excellence by the confectionery industry at last year’s ConTech confectionery conference (pictured above).
“He continued to develop the business while CEO and has cemented Haigh’s place as an icon of South Australian business and confectionery throughout Australia.
“Few in Australia can lay claim to the pedigree in confectionery that Alister Haigh has.”
Mr Haigh will be succeeded by Chief Operating Officer Peter Millard, marking the first time in the company’s 110-year history that someone outside of the Haigh family has been appointed Chief Executive Officer.
Haigh’s Chocolates continues to be family owned, and Mr Haigh will remain on the board alongside his fourth-generation family members Simon Haigh and Sara Fitzgerald. He also plans to champion the rich history and legacy of Haigh’s in an ambassador role.
The transition in leadership, official from August 4, comes during an exciting time of expansion for Haigh’s.
Its new $130 million manufacturing facility in Salisbury South is due for completion later this year, and its seventh Sydney store will open in September.
Mr Haigh joined the family business in 1973 and was appointed CEO in 1995.
Over the years, the company has expanded its operations and tripled in size and now produces more than 1000 tonnes of chocolate a year.
“Reflecting on my time, it’s incredible to think how far we have come — with more than 300 chocolate varieties, 900 employees and 21 stores,” Mr Haigh said.
He supports numerous confectionery activities in South Australia and was President of the South Australian Branch of the Confectionery Manufacturers of Australasia (CMA) for many years, remaining closely involved with the organisation when it moved to Australian Industry Group.
Mr Haigh said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family on his farm in the Adelaide Hills and pursuing other interests.
The annual ConTech conference brings together professionals in the confectionery and wider food industry, giving delegates the opportunity to network, hear the latest trade news from presenters and panellists and explore new and exciting products and services at the trade exhibition.
Stay tuned for details of ConTech2026 — the 30th anniversary of ConTech.
Click here to view our gallery of this year’s event.
Save the date for our Confectionery Sector Industry Breakfast on Tuesday, September 23, at the Royal South Yarra Tennis Club, Toorak.
Wendy Larter is Communications Manager at the Australian Industry Group. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a reporter, features writer, contributor and sub-editor for newspapers and magazines including The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and Metro, the News of the World, The Times and Elle in the UK.
