Chr. Hansen CEO Cees de Jong has announced he will leave the Danish company after five years at the helm.
The Danish ingredients company has initiated a process to find his replacement, and until then Cees de Jong will continue as CEO, a position he has held for almost five years.
Under his leadership, Chr. Hansen has acquired the Nutrition Physiology Company (NPC) for $185m and Valio’s LGG business for €73 million.
Chairman of the Chr. Hansen board of directors Ole Andersen praised de Jong for the ‘tremendous’ work he has done for the company’s shareholders, employees and stakeholders.
“Together with the corporate leadership team, Cees has steered the company while delivering in accordance with our financial goals, helped develop an ambitious strategy and been a driving force behind our initiatives to pursue new growth opportunities,” he said.
“Chr. Hansen will be in a much stronger shape when Cees leaves, than when he arrived. We have several new and exciting prospects. I therefore look forward to identifying and appointing a new CEO for Chr. Hansen among the very strong candidates there will naturally be for this attractive position.”
Cees de Jong said: “Chr. Hansen has a unique competence base and strong growth prospects, and it is, and has been, a privilege to be the CEO since 2013. The company and its employees have been creating excellent results and are continuing to deliver on the ‘Nature’s No. 1’ strategy, turning Chr. Hansen into a true global microbial solutions company.
“While I am choosing now to pursue a different career, I will continue fully dedicated in my role as CEO for Chr. Hansen until my replacement has been found.”
Last week the company expanded its range of CapColors and ColorFruit with four new colour solutions for the beverage industry.
Source: FoodBev.com
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