New Zealand dairy company Fonterra has appointed a new chief executive: Richard Allen, who currently heads the global ingredients division, will take up the post. According to the company, this decision was taken less than a month after the announcement of Miles Hurrell’s resignation following eight years in the role.
The new CEO’s career in the dairy industry
Richard Allen has been working in the dairy industry with Fonterra for 18 years. During this time, he has held a number of international management positions, including:
- President of the Atlantic Region
- Vice-President of foodservise
He also headed up the Farm Source division, which provides support to farmers and manages the cooperative’s retail operations.
In addition, Allen was the founder and first CEO of the MyMilk programme — an initiative that enables farmers to supply limited quantities of milk without having to join a cooperative.
Date of taking office
Richard Allen will officially take up the post of CEO of the dairy company on 1 May 2026. The outgoing CEO, Miles Hurrell, will remain in an advisory role until September 2026 to ensure a smooth handover.
Focus on strategy and effectiveness
Commenting on his appointment, Allen noted that he fully understands the role of the cooperative for both New Zealand farmers and global customers.
According to him, he plans to:
- maintain the momentum achieved
- ensure the consistent implementation of the strategy
- maintain financial discipline
He also emphasised that the dairy company has a strong foundation for further growth as a global B2B supplier of dairy products owned by New Zealand farmers.
Assessment of the company’s management
Peter McBride, Chairman of the Board of Directors, described Allen as someone “dedicated to the cooperative” who is capable of leading the company through the next phase of its strategy.
Source: Dairy Reporter
