Cees de Jong to step down as CEO of Chr. Hansen

Cees de Jong told FeedNavigator this morning: 

"In due course, I wish to pursue a career as a non-executive director outside Chr. Hansen (typically as a Board member). I wish to return to my home country, the Netherlands, and be based there." ​

"There has always been a close and open dialogue between myself and the chairman of the board, and as my considerations about relocating to the Netherlands to join my family were becoming more pronounced, we decided this morning to enter into an agreement about me transitioning out of the CEO position.​

"But it is important to note that it will be business as usual with me at the helm until a successor has been found." ​

Ole Andersen, chair of Chr. Hansen's board of directors, said de Jong had helped to develop an ambitious strategy and that he had been a driving force behind initiatives to deliver growth.

The company, which produces enzymes and probiotics for the feed sector among other products, said it has already initiated a recruitment process in order to select a candidate to fill de Jong’s shoes.   

Listed on the Nasdaq Copenhagen, Chr. Hansen generated revenue of €1.06bn in the 2016/17 financial year.