Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has announced changes to its management team.
Mike Cronin
Managing director Co-operative Affairs Mike Cronin has been leading the potential consumer divestment process and will work on that full time.
Former Fonterra alumni Matt Bolger will return to the Co-op as Managing Director Co-operative Affairs position from next March.
Fonterra chief Miles Hurrell says exploring options for the potential divestment of the companies consumer businesses was one of the most important projects Fonterra had undertaken and had the potential to unlock significant value.
“Cronin would “step away” from the Managing Director Co-operative Affairs role to dedicate his time to the potential divestment and remain a member of the Fonterra management team.
“Mike has been with Fonterra since 2002 and has been involved in a number of key strategic projects for the Co-op, including Trading Amongst Farmers, the Governance and Representation Review, the Co-operative Difference and Flexible Shareholding.
“I’m also pleased to announce Matt Bolger’s appointment to the Managing Director Co-operative Affairs role and look forward to welcoming him back to the Co-op on the 5th of March,” says Mr Hurrell.
Miles Hurrell
Bolger previously spent more than 18 years with Fonterra in a variety of roles, including General Manager Capital Strategy and Director of Farmer Services, as well as time leading global sales teams offshore.
He became Pro Vice-Chancellor of Waikato University Management School in 2020 and is chairman of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand.
“As Managing Director Co-operative Affairs, Matt will be responsible for functions including Farm Source, Global Stakeholder Affairs and Trade, Governance, Risk and Audit, Corporate Communications, Legal and Māori Strategy.
“As we implement our revised strategy, Matt’s knowledge of the Co-op’s farmers, stakeholder relations experience and commercial acumen will serve him well,” says Mr Hurrell.
Matt Bolger, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Waikato Management School
