GERMANY- Danish multinational dairy cooperative, Arla Foods has appointed Lillie Li Valeur as the new Managing Director for its operations in Germany.
Lillie’s 18-year career in Arla, saw her rise to Vice President of Arla’s Milk Based Beverages business unit, leading a team that consistently delivered double-digit growth across European and International markets.
She also led Arla’s China business to implement a game-changing plan for China through a strategic partnership with Mengniu.
Giving insight into Lillies’ track record, EVP and Executive Board Member Peter Giørtz-Carlsen said, Lillie, is a strong relationship builder and creates partnerships that yield long-term value for the company.
They believe her agenda will strengthen Arla’s position in the German market where it has a robust production network and farmer base that numbers about 1,700 German.
Her appointment corresponds to the appointment of Patrik Hansson to the newly created role of Chief Marketing Officer and interim to the Executive Management Team.
Patrik Hansson will lead the company’s Global Brands Arla’s Future26 strategy and growth plans, ensuring that the company continues to utilize its competitive advantage and grow its branded business.
The company wants to continue to utilize its competitive advantage and grow its branded business through category innovation and development to meet the fast-evolving expectations and needs of dairy consumers around the world.
Commenting on his new role as CMO, Patrik Hansson said: “I am honored to be appointed CMO for Arla Foods, but also sad to leave the German business and organization earlier than planned. Through our great brands, products, and partnerships we bring a lot of joy to people’s lives as well as the high-quality nutrition we need as part of our everyday diets.
With our Future26 strategy, we have set an exciting and ambitious growth agenda for our brands, where innovation, digital marketing excellence, sustainability, and collaboration play a crucial role. I am looking forward to working with my new great team, to make this happen.”
Peter Giørtz-Carlsen, Executive Board Member and EVP Europe Zone stated that the business in Germany is making great progress which is why Patrik will split his time over both roles until his successor is in place to maintain strong leadership.
These appointments come after Arla Foods Ingredients has received a positive opinion from the European Food Standards Authority (EFSA) for Lacprodan beta-lactoglobulin (BLG)-100 as a novel food (NF) in a variety of applications.
Furthermore, using the recently inaugurated Innovation Centre at Vium, Denmark, and the Open innovation partnership model, Arla Foods has been able to produce BLG commercially since late last year.
This has seasoned their anticipation for a better production year and a rise in sales despite the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.
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