The former CEO of Milk Link,Neil Kennedy,has said his decision to leave his role at new parent firm Arla Foods has nothing to do with the dairy giant's strategy for the recently-acquired business.
Kennedy,who is to leave his post as SVP for milk and member services at the end of March,said yesterday(10 January)his decision is"purely personal".The announcement of his exit comes only a few months after Kennedy took on the role,following Arla's merger with the Milk Link co-operative.
"Having been heavily involved in the merger process,I now feel that the time is right to take on a new challenge and pursue new opportunities outside of Arla,"he said.His immediate future plans were not clear.
Kennedy reiterated his confidence in Arla's strategy towards Milk Link."As chief executive of Milk Link,my vision,one shared by the Milk Link board,the executive and most importantly our farmers,was to establish a vertically integrated farmer-owned business that could provide its members with long-term security,stability and sustainability.I firmly believe that the merger with Arla,one of the world's largest and most progressive farmer owned dairy businesses,will deliver this."
Arla's UK CEO,Peter Lauritzen,said he is"disappointed"to see Kennedy go and wished him well for the future.
From April,Ash Amirahmadi,Arla's vice president for marketing,will assume responsibility for milk and member services in addition to his marketing role.
"Ash is taking on the role permanently,"a spokesperson for Arla UK told just-food."He held the milk and member services role prior to the merger,but moved to the marketing role when the merger took place and Neil joined the business."
Show the press release Neil Kennedy to step down from Arla Foods
Neil Kennedy is stepping down from his role at Arla,to pursue interests outside of the business,with effect from 31 March 2013.
Neil was the CEO of Milk Link until the merger with Arla Foods amba and since October held the position of senior vice president for milk and member services.
Neil Kennedy comments:"As chief executive of Milk Link,my vision,one shared by the Milk Link board,the executive and most importantly our farmers,was to establish a vertically integrated farmer-owned business that could provide its members with long-term security,stability and sustainability.I firmly believe that the merger with Arla,one of the world's largest and most progressive farmer owned dairy businesses,will deliver this.
"My reason for leaving is purely a personal one.Having been heavily involved in the merger process,I now feel that the time is right to take on a new challenge and pursue new opportunities outside of Arla."
Commenting on Neil's decision,Arla UK chief executive,Peter Lauritzen,commented:"It has been a pleasure to work with Neil.He has made an enormous contribution to the success of the merger between Arla and Milk Link and,while I fully understand his reason for stepping down,I am disappointed that he will not be part of the business going forward.I wish him well for the future."
Peter Winstone,former vice-chairman of Milk Link,added:"Since joining in 2004 Neil played an integral role developing Milk Link into one of the most progressive and influential dairy businesses in the UK and ultimately securing the merger with Arla Foods amba.His proven leadership skills and considerable business acumen were invaluable.I would like to take this opportunity to thank Neil for all he has done for us and the wider industry and wish him well for the future."
Ash Amirahmadi,Arla's vice president for marketing,will assume responsibility for milk and member services in addition to his marketing role.
Arla Foods UK plc is home to some of the UK's leading dairy brands including Cravendale,Lurpak,Tickler and Anchor.Processing approximately 3.2 billion litres of milk a year and with a turnover of approximatey 2bn pounds Arla is the UK's largest dairy company.
Over 4,000 daily deliveries are made to stores and regional distribution centres nationwide,Arla's brands can be found across the dairy category and the company has a 26 per cent share of the GB milk pool.Behind this leading business is a team of circa 4,000 people across the UK located at our dairies,distribution centres and head office.
