Fonterra moves two on executive team
Image: Fonterra
Fonterra Co-operative Group has named two management team members to help lead the co-operative’s step-change in strategic direction and announced an executive team member moving into a new role. Richard Allen, Fonterra’s president Atlantic, has been appointed to the role of president, global markets ingredients. René Dedoncker, Fonterra’s managing director Oceania, has been appointed to the role of managing director global market, consumer and foodservice.
CEO Miles Hurrell says both Allen and Dedoncker are experienced leaders who know the co-op well. “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.
“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.”
The appointments are effective as of 1 August 2024 and replaced global markets CEO Judith Swales.
Additionally, Emma Parsons, managing director strategy and 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, Fonterra says. Parsons will start with Kotahi on 1 October 2024.