Fonterra Brands opts for outsider

The co-op has appointed managing director of Griffin’s Food Company Brett Henshaw as managing director, Fonterra Brands, New Zealand (FBNZ).

He will take up his role with Fonterra in the first week of December.

Henshaw replaces Leon Clement, who resigned to take up the chief executive’s role at rival Synlait in June. Clement had taken over from Tim Deane, who resigned three years ago after a long career in Fonterra to become managing director of another rival Goodman Fielder NZ.

Fonterra chief operating officer, global consumer & foodservice, Lukas Paravicini, says the co-op is excited about Henshaw joining the team. 

“He has an extensive 30-year career in FMCG and we are pleased he is coming on board.  

“Along with his time in New Zealand, Brett has also worked in Sydney, Singapore, New York and the UK, and he has a deep understanding of consumers, their needs and how to deliver on those needs.” 

“Brett has a strong commercial and strategic focus as well as end-to-end experience across the supply chain, including manufacturing and operations.  He is also recognised for the emphasis he places on people – a culture of mentoring, development, teamwork and open communication is important to him,” says Paravicini.

Henshaw is looking forward to taking up this key leadership role in Fonterra Brands and working with the broader Fonterra team, and customers.

“As a Kiwi, who has worked overseas for many years prior to joining Griffin’s, I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Fonterra Brands team on some of New Zealand’s most loved brands.”

Henshaw has previously held brand positions with Unilever, and a number of senior marketing roles with Colgate-Palmolive worldwide. This included regional general management roles in Australasia and in Asia, where he was responsible for eleven countries. He was appointed chief marketing officer for The Griffin’s Food Company in 2015, and became managing director in 2016.