SWITZERLAND – Ameropa, a Switzerland-headquartered grain trader has appointed William Dujardin as the company’s new Chief Executive officer, effective 8th January 2020.

Mr. Dujardin, who has been working with Bunge since 2005 and most recently served as the company’s Vice President for North & Central Europe, will take the helm from acting CEO, Andreas Zivy.

Zivy has been the company’s chief executive since June, when he stepped into the role after Jan Kadanik’s departure. Zivy will return to his position as Chairman of Ameropa Holding.

Mr. Dujardin has also held various executive positions in Bunge with increasing responsibility, including Director Finance & Strategic Development, General Manager Latin America and Vice President Food & Ingredients Europe.

He has also worked for seven years at Louis Dreyfus Company as a research analyst and grains trader.

As a seasoned international agribusiness executive, Mr. Dujardin brings with him a very comprehensive understanding of the industry.

With a solid commercial background, he has a strong track record of optimising value chains, strategy development and execution within our industry.

The French national holds a master’s degree (DESS) in International Business from from Université Paris-Dauphine and an MBA from INSEAD.

Andreas Zivy, Chairman of the Board of Ameropa Holding said: “The Board and shareholders are delighted to welcome Mr. Dujardin to Ameropa, thereby handing the reins to a younger generation that will continue to develop our Group towards innovation, digitization and sustainability.”

William Dujardin, Group CEO designate, commented: “I am thrilled and honored to join Ameropa, an impressive 70-year-old family owned business with a long history of success in grains and fertilizers.

“This is an exciting time for our industry as it grapples with the ongoing food revolution; and Ameropa  ̶  with its consistent reliability in our fast changing industry, its strong positions in the various markets it serves and a continued solid performance  ̶  is well placed to embrace the developments and challenges that await us.

“I am excited to work with the many talented, dedicated people and leaders that Ameropa has around the world.”