FrieslandCampina Makes Cooperative Board, Supervisory Board Appointments

Also intended future simplification of management top structure announced

FrieslandCampina has announced new Board Appointments.

Arising from its meeting on 21 June 2023, the Members’ Council of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A., has appointed, on the binding nomination of the Chairmen’s Meeting, Trienke Elshof-Witteveen as a member of the Cooperative Board effective as per 12 December 2023. She will replace Hans Stöcker, whose final term ends at the end of this year. Elze Jellema has been reappointed to the Cooperative Board as per the same date. The Supervisory Board announced that Petri Hofsté has been appointed as an external member of the Supervisory Board. She succeeds Angelien Kemna, who has indicated that she is not available for a second term, as a member and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee as of 12 December 2023. In addition, Sandra Berendsen and Elze Jellema have been appointed for a third and a second term respectively as members of the Supervisory Board, effective as per that date. Furthermore, an intended future simplification of the company’s top management structure that will be characterized by fewer layers was also announced during the Members’ Council.

Sybren Attema, Chair of the Cooperative Board of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. and Chair of the Supervisory Board of Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. said: “For a healthy management structure and effective decision-making, it is essential that both the Cooperative Board and the Supervisory Board consists of persons with diverse backgrounds, qualities, and competencies. Moreover, continuity is extremely important for our constituents. That is why I welcome the (re)appointments of Elze Jellema, Trienke Elshof-Witteveen, Petri Hofsté, and Sandra Berendsen to their board and supervisory roles. I am convinced that they will take the cooperative and company to the next level with their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm.”

As of 12 December 2023, the Cooperative Board will consist of eight members. As per the same date, the Supervisory Board will consist of four Cooperative Board members, one cooperative member who is not a board member, and four external supervisors.

Personal details

Elze Jellema is reappointed to the Cooperative Board and Supervisory Board. She is Vice-Chair of the Cooperative Board and a member of the Supervisory Board. She is a dairy farmer and was a member of FrieslandCampina’s Members’ Council for district Southwest Friesland until 2018. She has a dairy farm in Smallebrugge, in Southwest Friesland (the Netherlands).

Trienke Elshof-Witteveen is appointed to the Cooperative Board. She is a dairy farmer and holds an MBA in Food and Finance from Nyenrode University. From 1990, she held various administrative positions in the agricultural sector, including on the Members’ Council of FrieslandCampina from 2008 until 2013. In her role as Chair of the Board of Region North of LTO North, Elshof-Witteveen also is a member of the General Board of LTO North. To avoid a conflict of interest, she will resign from the latter position as of 12 December this year. By mutual agreement, she will gradually transfer her position as Chair of the Board of Region North of LTO North.

Sandra Berendsen is appointed to the Supervisory Board. She is a dairy farmer and member of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. She is currently Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of Alfa Accountants. From 2014 to 2022, she was a member of the Cooperative Board and Supervisory Board of FrieslandCampina. She was Vice Chair and Deputy Chair for some time. In the past, Sandra Berendsen was also Vice Chair of the Supervisory Board of ForFarmers N.V. She is also active as a board member of various network and industry organizations. As Berendsen has already served two terms on the Supervisory Board, she has been appointed for a third term of up to two years, after which she will be eligible for reappointment again for a fourth term of up to two years.

Petri Hofsté is appointed member of the Supervisory Board. In addition to Supervisory Board member at Rabobank Nederland, Achmea B.V., and Pon Holding B.V., she is also Chair of the Board of Stichting Nyenrode and of Vereniging Hendrick de Keyser, as well as a member of the SER Top Women Advisory Board. With her financial knowledge and managerial experience, she is committed to being an ambassador for more diversity in the management of Dutch companies. From today, Hofsté will start with an induction programme at FrieslandCampina.

Intended future simplification of management top structure

In mutual consultation Roel van Neerbos, the Supervisory Board, and CEO Jan Derck van Karnebeek have agreed that Roel van Neerbos will step down as a member of FrieslandCampina’s Executive Board and as President of the business group Food & Beverage with effect from 1 November 2023. The intended future simplification of the company’s top management structure with fewer layers is the reason for Van Neerbos to step down, which will mean that the role of President of Food & Beverage will become redundant. Consequently, no successor for Van Neerbos will be appointed. Roel van Neerbos will continue in his current role and lead the Food & Beverage management team until 31 October 2023. Until then, Van Neerbos will also continue his supervisory positions at several FrieslandCampina operating companies, namely Nigeria, Pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Sybren Attema, Chair of the Supervisory Board of FrieslandCampina: “In the time we worked together I got to know Roel as a seasoned, strategic brand builder who understands consumer needs, innovation and commerce very well. Above all, he is a real people person who values good relationships. Under his leadership, the business group Food & Beverage transformed into a more streamlined, focused, and standardized business. Country, brand, and production footprints were simplified under Roel’s leadership, and he effectively maneuvered the business group through the corona and inflation years. We owe him a lot of thanks for that and for his many other contributions to the company.”

SOURCE: https://www.frieslandcampina.com/news

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