Management change at Vion
He will take over the role from 1 November, replacing Joost Sliepenbeek who will leave the company to take on a similar position at Action.
“John brings extensive international management experience in the food and agri sector. His current role as CFO for our Pork division makes him an excellent successor that knows the business and the processes. I am happy to welcome him as a member of our management board,” said Ronald Lotgerink, CEO of Vion. “Joost made an important contribution to our company over the last three-and-a-half years. I thank him for his commitment, support and efforts. We regret his decision but wish him all the best in his new job.”
Vion also announced that Theo Koekkoek will be appointed as chairman of the supervisory board effective 1 October 2018. Koekkoek has extensive experience in the food and agri sector and stepped down 13 March 2018 as chairman of the supervisory board of Royal Agrifirm Group after completing a 16-year term.
Koekkoek is succeeding Sipko Schat who has decided not to seek reappointment.
Lotgerink added: “We are grateful to Sipko. Under his chairmanship Vion was transformed, with a clear focus on further optimising our footprint and improving results but also driving our sustainability agenda with a strong emphasis on transparency. We are pleased to have found a new chairman in Theo. He is an experienced supervisory director and has extensive know-how of the agricultural and food industries”.
From 1 October 2018, the Vion supervisory board will comprise Theo Koekkoek, Tom Heidman, Marieke Bax, Hans Huijbers and Ton van der Laan.
Earlier this year, Vion temporarily closed its Leeuwarden abattoir after Dutch authorities found a high percentage of rejected carcases. The facility reopened in August following collaboration between Vion and the authorities.
The business also recently opened a new beef production facility in Waldkraiburg, which has the capacity to process 5,000 cattle per week.
