9 May 2012

Dairy giant rejigs its executive ranks

6:08 am on 9 May 2012

Fonterra dairy co-operative has re-organised its business structure and top management to focus more attention on emerging overseas markets and dairy nutrition.

Chief executive Theo Spierings says the changes are also designed to reduce layers and duplication and gain more efficiency.

Two new business divisions will grow sales in China, India and Latin America.

Kelvin Wickham will become managing director for the China-India unit and Alex Turnbull will head Latin America.

Fonterra will also have a new global nutrition business, led by its own managing director Sarah Kennedy.

Jonathan Mason remains the cooperative's chief financial officer, and John Doumani stays on as managing director of Australia New Zealand for Fonterra, while Gary Romano switches jobs to run New Zealand Milk.

They are part of a 12-strong management team - which has one one position yet to be confirmed - that will take effect from the start of the next financial year in August.