Vindfeldt steps down at Chr Hansen

After more than 25 years with Chr Hansen and 11 years in executive management, Knud Vindfeldt will step down from the executive board of Chr Hansen Holding on 28 February 2017.

Vindfeldt joined Chr Hansen in 1991 and was appointed member of the executive board and head of the cultures and enzymes division in 2005, and was further appointed COO and deputy CEO in 2016. After February, Vindfeldt will continue to support the company in the role of advisor to the CEO for a period of six months.

Cees de Jong, CEO of Chr Hansen, says: “Knud has been one of the key drivers behind the success of Chr Hansen in the dairy market, and he has relentlessly pushed for continued improvements in our strategic, operational and financial performance. The results delivered by the Food Cultures & Enzymes Division (FC&E) speak for themselves; since 2005, both revenue and EBIT margin have more than doubled.

“With the transfer of the commercial responsibility for FC&E to Christoffer Lorenzen in April last year, the recent recruitment of Thomas Schäfer as chief scientific officer and with the promotion of Torsten Steenholt to executive vice president, global operations and member of the corporate Leadership Team, we have ensured Knud’s succession. On behalf of the entire Chr Hansen organization, I would like to thank Knud for his exceptional contribution to Chr Hansen and wish him all the best for the future.”

Vindfeldt says, “Chr Hansen is a truly great company and it has been a fantastic journey, which I am proud to have been part of. The company is in better shape than ever, delivering solid results. With such strong successors in place, I feel confident that this is a natural time for me to step down. In the coming months, we will ensure a good handover.”

Following this change, the executive board will consist of CEO Cees de Jong and CFO Søren Westh Lonning. In addition, and as previously announced, Thomas Schäfer will join Chr Hansen as CSO and member of the executive board in due course.