Global Dairy Trade names Singapore as global headquarters and adds to its leadership team

Global Dairy Trade (GDT), a global platform for dairy trading, pricing and insights, announced plans to establish Singapore as the company’s global headquarters as part of the next phase of its international development. The move reflects GDT’s increasingly global role in supporting participants across international dairy markets, with buyers and sellers operating across interconnected global supply, the firm says. The transition process is now underway and expected to take place progressively over the coming months, subject to relevant regulatory processes.

Global Dairy Trade CEO Lloyd Cartwright said the move reflects strong board and shareholder support for GDT’s long-term growth agenda and its continued development as neutral market infrastructure for the global dairy industry.

“GDT has evolved significantly beyond its origins to become a truly international platform supporting customers and participants across global dairy markets,” says Cartwright. “Establishing our global headquarters in Singapore positions us closer to international markets and customers, while supporting GDT’s long-term development and the increasingly interconnected nature of global dairy trade. Importantly, New Zealand remains a critical part of GDT’s future. We will continue to maintain a significant team and technology presence in New Zealand, alongside our existing auction operations in Berlin.”

Since its establishment in 2008, GDT has grown into a world trading platform for core dairy products and dairy derivative trading. Through its GDT Events platform, the business brings together buyers and sellers from more than 60 countries to trade approximately US$2-3 billion annually. GDT plays an important role in supporting transparent and trusted price discovery, market confidence and risk management across international dairy markets.

The move also reflects the increasingly interconnected and data-driven nature of global dairy markets, as customers seek greater market transparency, efficiency and global participation. Singapore was selected due to its position as one of the world’s leading international trade and business hubs, with connectivity to global markets, customers and international trading ecosystems.

GDT has also added to its executive leadership team with the appointments of Wendy Walker as chief marketing officer, based in Singapore, Caroline Brennan as chief customer officer, based in Singapore, Sajeewa Dayaratne as chief technology officer, based in Auckland and responsible for GDT’s technology function and the continued development of the platform and digital capabilities.

All three executives report directly to Cartwright. GDT further confirmed that a significant team and technology presence will remain in New Zealand, auction operational functions will continue to be based in Berlin, while executive leadership, commercial, marketing, finance, product and customer growth functions will progressively transition to Singapore.

Founded in New Zealand in 2008, GDT now operates across multiple international locations. It is jointly owned by Fonterra, New Zealand Exchange (NZX), and European Energy Exchange (EEX).