Mariota Smutz, one of the candidates bidding to join the Vitura Health board at next month’s AGM, has withdrawn from the process seven days after his nomination was flagged.
Last week, the co-founder of CDA Health and ex-chief medical officer of Vitura, Ben Jansen, signalled his intention to seek election to the board via a resolution tabled by his wife, Elizabeth, trustee of one of Vitura’s largest shareholders, Standard Investment Trust.
Smutz was set to join Jansen, former Vitura chairman Shane Tanner and Nathan Hight in bidding for directorships via further resolutions from Elizabeth Jansen.
However, in an announcement to the ASX this morning, Vitura said: “The trustee has retracted one proposed resolution set out in the notice, being for the appointment of Mr Mariota Eddison Smutz as a director of the company.”
Smutz told The Australian: “Due to a shift in my workload and professional obligations, I won’t be able to dedicate the necessary time and effort required for the role. As such, I have withdrawn my nomination as a director of Vitura Health. I have notified parties and thanked them for this opportunity.”
Asked by Cannabiz about the abrupt withdrawal of his colleague so soon after the nomination was announced, Ben Jansen said: “His commitments have changed. Such is life. Mariota has been extremely helpful with insights provided thus far and will continue to consult in the background.”
Last week, Jansen told Cannabiz the nominees would “bring a depth of long-term strategic vision to the board” and help deliver value to shareholders.
Vitura’s AGM is scheduled for November 28.
