NEW ZEALAND – The milk and infant formula products company, A2 Milk has appointed Race Strauss to the position of chief financial officer (CFO).

Strauss will assume office in the second half of the 2020 financial year, replacing Craig Louttit, who will be stepping down from the position.

However, Louttit will continue serving the company as the deputy chief financial officer as well as playing a senior and integral role within the company. He will remain in his current position until Strauss joins the company.

Strauss brings in over 20 years of experience in several leadership roles across the consumer goods industry including the CFO at Jetstar for five years and most recently CFO for Qantas Airlines, a division of the Qantas Group.

Strauss has previously held various senior roles at Unilever, where he spent over 20 years, including senior finance and strategy roles in South East Asia and Australasia, and Unilever’s Global Mergers and Acquisition team based in the UK.

A2 Milk noted that he has a strong packaged goods background as well as relevant international experience, particularly in China and other Asian regions.

Louttit., who has held the position since April 2014, has been instrumental to the growth of the dairy firm. During his tenure, the company became dual listed in Australia in 2015 and has more recently moved into the ASX 100.

“I am delighted that I am able to continue to be a key part of the team, but without the extensive travel demands of the public company CFO role,” said Louttit. 

“Race will be a great addition to the team. I am looking forward to working closely with Race as we continue to develop our thinking and execution as a company firmly focused on its next stage of growth,”

Managing director and CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka added: “Craig has been an outstanding member of our senior leadership team for many years and has been instrumental in the company achieving the results it has over recent years.

“Craig has been such a strong support for me and I am very pleased that we have been able to solve for Craig’s personal priorities while keeping him in a senior position in the business.

“I am also delighted that we have filled the CFO role with someone of Race Strauss’ calibre and experience as we continue our growth journey.”