Royal FrieslandCampina announces leadership change; CEO Roelof Joosten to step down next year

Netherlands-based Royal FrieslandCampina N.V., one of the world’s leading dairy firms and the parent company of FreislandCampina WAMCO, announced on Wednesday that its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Roelof Joosten will step down on 1 January 2018, and to be succeeded by Hein Schumacher, the company’s current Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Schumacher became a member of the Executive Board and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Royal FrieslandCampina in January 2015. Prior to this, he worked at Heinz in both financial and general management positions in the Netherlands, the United States, the UK and China.

The company said that Schumacher’s leadership skills, experience and vision will further strengthen the company both operationally and commercially and so generate more value for the member dairy farmers in a sustainable way.

While accepting the new role, Schumacher said, “It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to lead this wonderful company and to guide the organisation to the next phase. Quickly and adequately respond to questions and demands of consumers and clients wherever in the world is priority.”

The outgoing CEO Roelof Joosten has been in his current role since 1 June 2015 and was instrumental in initiating important changes within the organization such as the update of the route2020 strategy and the recently announced simplification of the organization. The company notes that the sales of its infant nutrition in China experienced strong growth under his leadership. He is also credited with coming up with unique possibilities for the firm’s valorization of Whey, which has become an important ingredient for the company, among other infant nutrition.

Joosten joined Royal FrieslandCampina in 2004 and rose through the ranks to become a member of the Executive Board and Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2012, with responsibility for the firm’s ingredients.

The company said that further announcements about the succession will be made in due time.

Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. is a 145 years old farmer’s cooperative that is owned by 19,000 farmers in the Netherlands.

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