Melbourne stockbroker Vaughan Webber has withdrawn his nomination to join the board of the company. The reason wasn't immediately clear, although it is believed to be linked to concerns over possible class action litigation involving Bellamy's.

As well, TasFoods director Hugh Robertson also quit its board late on Friday. Both Mr Robertson and Mr Webber are stockbrokers at Bell Potter Securities. Jan Cameron, who is spearheading the board push at Bellamy's, is also a large shareholder in TasFoods and has close links with Mr Robertson.

Ms Cameron confirmed to BusinessDay that Mr Webber has withdrawn from her slate of nominees, which will leave her with just three names to put forward at a planned shareholder meeting to be held later in the month. Mr Webber was one of four nominees, led by the Kathmandu clothing chain co-founder Ms Cameron,  who is seeking to unseat four existing directors.

Bellamy's has five directors at present and if the dissidents succeed in unseating four directors and having its reduced slate of three directors elected, this will give them control of three out of the reduced number of four board seats. Additionally, Ms Cameron has also indicated she will seek to have the chairman of Bellamy's, Rob Woolley, replaced.

Mr Woolley has refused to indicate his plans if the dissidents succeed in taking board control.

"I never like to predict, to get too far ahead of the curve," Mr Woolley said. "We're pleased with the feedback we're getting," he said of shareholder response to the push to unseat the existing board.

"Jan [Cameron] is a very experienced business person. But she doesn't have any listed company experience."

Ms Cameron has had some big wins – and some big losses, he said. The big win was helping to co-create Kathmandu, the retailer which established a new segment of the retailing market in 1987. The big loss was Retail Adventures which collapsed, triggering criticism of Ms Cameron's actions.

"She is polarising – but she would admit that herself," as one person put it who knows her well.

Much of Bellamy's woes can be traced back to a decision by the Chinese government to take greater control over the infant formula milk market following a surge in imports. That overhaul is also believed to be one factor in the decision by UK group Reckitt​ Benkisser​ to buy Mead Johnson for $US16.6 billion, which will see three groups controlling the infant milk formula market globally – Nestle with an estimated 22 per cent globally, France's Danone with 13 per cent and Mead Johnson with 10 per cent. Mead Johnson late last year cancelled a supply deal with troubled Victorian milk processor Murray Goulburn but still has a 10-year supply agreement with Bega Cheese.

"There has been a lot of corporate activity and I expect it to continue," Bellamy's Woolley said. "China is a very opaque market but a large market – and it is driving change."

Ms Cameron is unable to replace Mr Webber's nomination in time for the shareholder meeting already called to vote on the board spill, which is scheduled for February 28.

Ms Cameron issued a statement late on Friday expressing surprise over claims that a change of strategy by the company in its sales to the China market were made by the former chief executive, Laura McBain, without board knowledge.

"It beggars belief that such a profound shift in Bellamy's strategy was not approved by the board," Ms Cameron said. "It is understood the strategy was the recommendation of a major consulting firm which was appointed by the board. Inevitably the board would have had to approve such a shift in strategy.

"In any case, it highlights the board's lack of understanding of the Chinese market. The board should confirm its part in the shutting down of the daigous," she said in reference to the personal shoppers who buy products in Australia to onsell in China.