Bega Cheese has named its new boss, Paul van Heerwaarden.
van Heerwaarden, who is currently Bega’s COO, has over 25 years’ experience in food and agribusiness having worked in senior positions at Cargill and Ridley AgriProducts. He will replace the retiring CEO Aidan Coleman early next year.
“Bega Cheese’ core business is strong, underpinned by long term contracts which provide a solid foundation to expand our customer base and markets,” van Heerwaarden said in a statement. “I am honoured to be appointed CEO of such an iconic Australia company with great prospects.”
Getting the most out of existing plants and infrastructure will be an early focus for Heerwaarden. Another will be building food service and consumer products sales and marketing capability to complement significant manufacturing expertise.
He also believes that the recent regulatory challenges in China will pass and the infant formula market will continue to grow. “Bega Cheese is well placed to take advantage of the increasing demand for safe, clean Australian products.”
Bega’s executive chairman Barry Irvin said he was delighted to welcome van Heerwaarden to the role.
“He has extensive experience in agribusiness, having worked in senior financial, operational and marketing positions in Australia and internationally,” Irvin said. “[He] has been the driving force behind Bega Cheese’s recent growth in dairy foods and nutritionals and proved to be the outstanding candidate for the role of CEO.”
