GDP names FrieslandCampina CEO as board chair

Global Dairy Platform (GDP), a not-for-profit industry association representing the international dairy sector, announced the appointment of Jan Derck van Karnebeek, chief executive officer of Royal FrieslandCampina, as chair of GDP’s board of directors. He succeeds Miles Hurrell, chief executive officer of Fonterra Co-operative Group, who has announced his retirement.

“It is an honour to become Chair of GDP and to build on the strong foundation that has been laid together with the board. Under Miles’ leadership, GDP elevated the dairy sector’s integrated story, strengthening the industry’s position,” van Karnebeek says. “The current global challenges of providing healthy and affordable food in a sustainable way are significant. This makes it even more important for dairy companies to continue working together across borders. I look forward to building on this work and continuing to underline the global relevance of the dairy sector.”

Since 2023, van Karnebeek has led Netherlands-based Royal FrieslandCampina, one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the world. It has about 14,000 member dairy farmers, branch offices in 30 countries and products sold in more than 100 countries. He also serves as co-chair of OP2B, an international business coalition on biodiversity with a specific focus on agriculture that is part of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Replacing Hurrell on GDP’s board is Richard Allen, who will become CEO of Fonterra Co-operative Group on 1 May 2026.

Others serving on the GDP board include Dennis Rodenbaugh, president and CEO,  Dairy Farmers of America; Peder Tuborgh, CEO, Arla Foods;  Yohichi Ohnuki, president and representative director, Morinaga Milk Industry; Dr. Jayen Mehta, managing director, Amul (Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.);  Lance FitzSimmons, president and CEO, Leprino Foods Company; Carl Colizza, oresident and CEO, Saputo Inc.; Gilles Froment, president of the International Dairy Federation; Hanne Sondergaard, deputy chair of the GDP board and chair of the GDP Operational Committee, chief agriculture and sustainability officer, Arla Foods; Michael Lichte, chief insights and optimization officer, Dairy Farmers of America; Koert Verkerk, corporate director public affairs, Royal FrieslandCampina, and Simon Tucker, group director, global external affairs, Fonterra Co-operative Group.

GDP is a not-for-profit industry association representing the global dairy sector. GDP membership, which includes more than 95 corporations, companies, associations, scientific bodies, and other partners, has operations in more than 150 countries and collectively produces approximately one-third of all the world’s milk.