NETHERLANDS – Marloes Roetgerink is poised to etch her name in history as she becomes the first female executive board member at ForFarmers, the Dutch animal feed giant, upon her appointment as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
The supervisory board of ForFarmers has put forward Roetgerink’s nomination to join the company’s executive board, subject to approval at the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders slated for May 28.
Assuming her appointment sails through, she will commence her tenure as CFO on June 1, serving a four-year term.
The CFO position had been vacant since the departure of Roeland Tjebbes in December of the previous year and was temporarily filled by Hans Kerkhoven.
Roetgerink, boasting over a decade of experience in senior financial roles at Royal FrieslandCampina and Heineken, is expected to bring a wealth of expertise to her new role, according to the company. She holds an academic background in industrial engineering and management.
Statistics from the company’s latest annual report reveal that in 2023, 22% of ForFarmers employees were female, while 78% were male. Moreover, women accounted for 21% of newly hired employees last year, with 26% of all internal promotions going to female employees, marking a significant rise from previous years.
ForFarmers has also set ambitious diversity targets, aiming for at least 30% representation of both genders on its executive board and executive team by 2030. Additionally, the company aims to promote diversity in terms of age and nationality within its management positions.
In other significant developments within the company, Steven Read, a stalwart with ForFarmers UK for 38 years, is set to retire at the end of 2024. Until then, he will oversee the divestment of two UK sites and fulfill interim duties at the group’s headquarters.
Reflecting on his tenure, Read expressed satisfaction in witnessing ForFarmers UK’s growth and highlighted the promising prospects of the expanding CirQlar business, focusing on environmentally sustainable livestock feed solutions.
Dr. Mark Cole is set to succeed Read as the managing director of ForFarmers UK’s compound feed, blends, forage, and straights business, bringing with him over three decades of industry experience.
His appointment underscores ForFarmers UK’s commitment to all sectors of the UK livestock industry.
Furthermore, Peter Lyon has been named the managing director of CirQlar UK, the company’s co-products business.
Over the past year, ForFarmers has implemented measures to structurally reduce its cost base, including the reduction of approximately 200 full-time employees. Organizational changes and the divestment of certain activities have been cited as reasons behind these reductions.
Marloes Roetgerink’s nomination marks a significant milestone for ForFarmers as it continues to make strides toward greater diversity and inclusion at the highest levels of its leadership hierarchy. With her wealth of experience and expertise, Roetgerink is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s financial strategy and driving its future growth and success.
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