Fonterra names Dutch import as new chief executive

Dairy giant Fonterra has appointed Theo Spierings, from Dutch farmer dairy co-operative Royal Friesland Foods, as its new chief executive.

Mr Spierings, who led Royal Friesland Foods into a complex merger with Campina in 2008, will take over from Fonterra's departing chief executive Andrew Ferrier on September 26.Mr Ferrier announced his resignation from Fonterra last March.

Fonterra chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden said Mr Spierings, 46, had strong experience in managing dairy businesses across Asia, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

“Most importantly, Mr Spierings has an inbuilt respect for the co-operative structure and for farmers and their commitment to co-operative principles. He is well recognised by his peers for his people leadership, delivery of results and strong strategic skills," Sir Henry said in a statement.


As well as a 25-year career in global dairy industry, Mr Spierings had held a variety of general management, operations and supply chain and sales and marketing positions across a number of geographies.

Mr Spierings said in a statement that Fonterra’s low-cost pasture based farming and status as the world's largest milk processor made it unique.

“The Fonterra Board, Andrew Ferrier and his team have established a strong foundation and my challenge is to build an even more successful global dairy co-operative,” he said.

The challenge ahead was to add another layer of value across the business.

“I am used to working for farmers and I know they demand results. Being entrepreneurs themselves, they expect continuous improved performance of both their co-operative and through-out the value chain," said Mr Spierings


"I am acutely aware of Fonterra's importance to the New Zealand economy and look forward to leading an organisation that has the potential to have such a positive impact on its home country.

Mr Spierings is married with three children and currently lives in The Netherlands.

He owns and runs his own company which focuses on corporate strategy and mergers and acquisitions in fast moving consumer goods.