Wednesday, 10 August 2022 07:55

Fonterra revamps management team

Written by  Staff Reporters
Fonterra has completed a revamp of its management team. Fonterra has completed a revamp of its management team.

Fonterra has completed a revamp of its executive management team with the appointment of Emma Parsons in the new role of managing director strategy and optimisation.

Parsons, who started in the role last week, is one of two new appointments to the executive team. Last month the co-operative appointed Komal Mistry-Mehta as its chief innovation and brand officer.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says since announcing its refreshed strategy in September 2021, the co-op has been working through how to adapt its organisational structure to accelerate progress towards its long-term aspirations.

"Our ambitions are to grow the value we derive from our New Zealand milk through our sustainability credentials, innovation, and nutrition science.

"To enable this, we have established two new Fonterra Management Team (FMT) roles to increase the co-op's focus on innovation and strategic implementation," says Hurrell.

Parsons' newly developed role will have ownership and oversee the implementation of Fonterra's strategy and plans to achieve Fonterra's long term aspirations. It will also bring a new level of focus on demand choices, and portfolio and asset managemen using analytics to inform decision making.

Hurrell says he's excited to have Parsons joining the Fonterra management team given her understanding and passion for the co-op.

"Emma has a strong track record of delivering results. We've seen this most recently in her role as GM Capital Strategy where she led the development of the new capital structure for the co-operative, which received overwhelming support.

"Emma is incredibly passionate about Fonterra and has had a long career with us, which began working at the local factory in her summer holidays and has spanned many different parts of the co-operative."

Prior to her role as general manager capital strategy, she was chief executive of Agrigate, a JV between Fonterra and LIC before the GM responsible dairying and roles in Brazil and Argentina where she developed the co-operative's export relationships and supply chain integration across Latin America.

Emma has an MBA with first class honours from Massey University, a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Commerce from Victoria University of Wellington.

The co-operative has also combined its Asia Pacific and Americas, Middle East and African (AMENA) business units.

The consolidated business unit will be led by Judith Swales.

The chief executive of AMENA business, Kelvin Wickham has decided to step down after 34 years with the co-op.

"Kelvin and his wife are keen to stay in Europe and I wish them all the best for their next great adventure," says Hurrell.

"We've worked closely together for a number of years and I will miss his friendship, guidance, and support.

"I thank Kelvin for his extensive contribution to the co-op. He has been with Fonterra for over 34 years, holding multiple roles across many markets, and has been a tremendous advocate for Fonterra."

More like this

Fonterra's in good shape

Fonterra released its interim results last month, showing a continuation of the strong earnings performance delivered by the co-op through the 2023 financial year. Here’s what Fonterra chair Peter McBride and chief executive Miles Hurrell said about the results…

China trade

OPINION: Last week's revelation that data relating to New Zealand MPs was stolen amid Chinese state-sponsored cyber espionage targeting two arms of the country’s Parliament could test the long-standing trade relations between the two countries.

Featured

Feds back Fast-Track Approval Bill

Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.

Machinery builder in liquidation

In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.

Two hemispheres tied together through cows

One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.

National

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Machinery & Products

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Plant-based bubble bursts

OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter