Dutch dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina is set to appoint a new chairman in December, as Sybren Attema prepares to resign from his position.
Nils den Besten, a farmer member of FrieslandCampina and a board member since 2021, will take over when the transition officially occurs on December 15.
In a statement, Attema expressed confidence in FrieslandCampina’s current standing, noting that the organization remains “in a strong position” despite the challenges impacting margins in the first half of the fiscal year.
Attema assumed the chairman role in 2021, overseeing the merger with Milcobel, a Belgian dairy company, a partnership that was first announced in December 2024.
FrieslandCampina remarked, “Through this joining of forces, the cooperative and the company have gained greater scale and resilience, providing a strong foundation for remaining competitive and agile in the future and continuing to create value for members and customers.”
Attema stated, “With the merger with Milcobel and the steps we have taken, FrieslandCampina is now in a strong position. For me, this is the right moment to hand over the chairmanship.”
He also expressed his faith in den Besten’s ability to lead, saying, “I have every confidence that Nils, together with the cooperative board and the company’s supervisory board, will provide direction for the next phase, with due regard for the interests of members and the business.”
Finance Chief Hans Janssen commented on the organization’s performance, noting that FrieslandCampina’s results for the first half of the year are facing pressure due to unfavorable market circumstances, such as low base dairy prices and rising milk volumes.
Looking ahead, Janssen reaffirmed that the “priorities for 2026 remain unchanged, focusing on profitable growth, margin improvement, and cost control.”
Den Besten shared his strong belief in the cooperative’s potential, asserting, “I strongly believe in the strength of our cooperative and company: together, we ensure a leading milk price and stable long-term value.”
He added, “As chair, I want to combine direction and pace with transparency, so that members, cooperative and company can continue to build a future-proof FrieslandCampina together.”
Additionally, FrieslandCampina announced that its current CEO, Jan Derck van Karnebeek, has been reappointed for a second term, starting June 1, 2027.
