Appliance manufacturing company Fisher & Paykel Holdings has appointed company director Liang Haishan as its new chair to replace Dr Keith Turner.

Turner, who has served as Fisher & Paykel’s chair for nine years, signalled his intention to retire in mid-2018 and has stayed on with the board for another year to assist in the transition.

Haishan, who has been on the board of Fisher & Paykel since 2011, has played an integral role in setting the company’s strategic vision in the eight years he was with Fisher & Paykel, according to Turner.

“His appointment as Chair will prove a real asset to furthering our premium aspirations across each of our markets,” Turner said.

Also stepping down at the June board meeting are independent directors Jacqueline Chow and Bill Roest, following tenures of three years and eight years respectively.

Roest will continue as the independent chair of the Fisher & Paykel Appliances Audit and Risk Committee, while Chow leaves to give greater focus to several ASX100 listed governance roles.

Liang said the long service of the three outgoing directors has been invaluable as the brand establishes itself as a credible challenger in luxury appliance markets around the world.

“We have been extremely fortunate to be able to call on individuals of their calibre in setting the strategic direction of this business,” Liang said.

“It is those contributions that have helped establish Fisher & Paykel as a truly premium brand and one that is on a trajectory of exciting growth.”

Turner said it had been an absolute privilege to serve as chair of the iconic New Zealand company and to have the trust of Haier to remain as independent chair for the last seven years.

“Their support of our vision and trust in our governance and leadership has been outstanding,” Turner said.

Under Turner’s chairmanship, Fisher & Paykel Appliances has undertaken a significant strategic shift with a singular focus on developing its global premium appliance position.

The sale to global home appliance leader Haier Group in 2012 has allowed Fisher & Paykel to invest in new product innovation at scale and establish itself as the premium appliance brand within the Haier Group.

This strategic repositioning also saw the sale of Fisher & Paykel Finance in 2016, allowing the company to focus on its core appliance and technology businesses.