June 24, 2024

 

Fonterra announces executive team changes

 

Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd on June 20 announced the internal appointment of two new management team members to help lead the dairy cooperative's step-change in strategic direction.

 

Fonterra also announced an executive team member is moving into a new role.

 

Richard Allen, Fonterra's president (Atlantic), has been appointed to the role of president of Global Markets Ingredients. 

 

René Dedoncker, Fonterra's managing director (Oceania), has been appointed to the role of managing director of Global Markets Consumer and Foodservice. 

 

Fonterra chief executive officer Miles Hurrell said both Allen and Dedoncker are experienced leaders who know the co-op well and their appointments to the Fonterra Management Team demonstrates the depth of capability within Fonterra. 

 

"Richard Allen has been with Fonterra since 2008 and has held a number of significant roles across the business during this time, including leading our Foodservice business in Greater China and our Farm Source business here in New Zealand," Hurrell said. "In his current role as president (Atlantic), Richard is responsible for Fonterra's operations across the Americas and Europe as well as our top global Ingredients accounts. Richard has a sharp commercial mind and I look forward to seeing how he deepens our strategic customer relationships and drives further value through our Global Markets Ingredients business.

 

"René Dedoncker has been with the co-op since 2005 and has held several global leadership positions during that time. He has led our Australian business since 2017, including through its recent merger with Fonterra Brands New Zealand to form Fonterra Oceania. 

 

"In this new role, René will provide leadership to our Global Markets Consumer business during the potential divestment process, with a focus on continuing to drive performance. René will also lead development and delivery of the strategic growth plans for our Foodservice business outside of Greater China. 

 

"I congratulate both Richard and René on their appointments to the Fonterra Management Team and welcome their expertise as we deepen our position as a world-leading provider of high-value, innovative dairy ingredients." 

 

The appointments will be effective from August  and will replace Global Markets CEO Judith Swales.

 

Fonterra also revealed that Emma Parsons, managing director of Strategy & Optimisation, has been appointed to the role of CEO for Kotahi Logistics LP, a joint venture between Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms. 

 

Kotahi is New Zealand's largest containerised freight manager and works to ensure New Zealand maintains a sustainable, secure supply chain and remains competitive on the world stage, according to Fonterra.

 

Hurrell noted that Parsons has had a long career with the co-op that has spanned many different parts of the business.

 

"Emma's broad experience has seen her develop Fonterra's export relationships and supply chain integration across Latin America, lead the design of our new capital structure and more recently, lead the implementation of our strategy," he said. "Joining Kotahi as CEO is a very exciting opportunity for Emma and I am pleased that we will continue to work closely together to take farmers' milk to the world. I congratulate Emma on her appointment and wish her luck in the new role.

 

"I'd also like to acknowledge David Ross who has completed almost nine years as CEO of Kotahi. I thank him for his leadership of a critical partner of ours, particularly through COVID-19 and the subsequent global supply chain challenges." 

 

Parsons will start with Kotahi on October 1.

 

- Fonterra