Fonterra revamps management team

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."