Mariota Smutz has withdrawn his bid for a seat on the Vitura Health board, stepping back just one week after his nomination was announced ahead of next month's AGM.
The previous week, CDA Health co-founder and former Vitura chief medical officer Ben Jansen signalled his intention to seek election to the board through a resolution put forward by his wife, Elizabeth, who is trustee of Standard Investment Trust, one of Vitura's largest shareholders.
Smutz had been set to stand alongside Jansen, former Vitura chairman Shane Tanner, and Nathan Hight in pursuing directorships through additional resolutions filed by Elizabeth Jansen.
In an announcement to the ASX this morning, Vitura stated: "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 As such, I have withdrawn my nomination as a director of Vitura Health.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."
When asked about the swift departure of his associate so shortly after the nomination was made public, 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 said in an interview 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.
