Royal Agrifirm Group has announced the appointment of Stefan Bulthuis as its new Chief Financial Officer. Bulthuis will take over from Margret Kleinsman.
Royal Agrifirm Group has appointed Stefan Bulthuis as its Chief Financial Officer, with effect from April 1, 2024. Bulthuis will take over this role from Margret Kleinsman, who has chosen not to extend her term of office and will stand down on March 31, 2024.
Stefan Bulthuis started as an accountant with Deloitte after completing his studies in business administration. In 2000, he made the switch to FrieslandCampina. There he spent a total of 18 years working in the role of finance director for parts of the company, including WAMCO Nigeria, Consumer Products Benelux, and finally, the Cheese, Butter, and Milk Powder business unit, which generates a turnover of 3 billion euros, has 23 factories, and employs 3,600 staff. In 2018, Bulthuis took up the post of CFO of Prinsen Berning, a producer of sports nutrition and dietary products and a portfolio company of private-equity investor Bencis.
Arian Kamp, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Royal Agrifirm Group, said: “We are convinced that, with his international experience in our sector and his background at both a cooperative and a private-equity portfolio company, Stefan will make a valuable contribution to the transition we have set in motion, aimed at further future-proofing Royal Agrifirm Group and helping us put a responsible food chain in place together for future generations.”
Stefan Bulthuis, new CFO of Royal Agrifirm Group, said: “What I particularly appreciate is the fact that Agrifirm is a cooperative. I have more than 18 years’ experience of working in this field. Agrifirm is a global player, and I am constantly on the lookout for challenges. This is particularly important because, as a company in the agricultural sector, you need to keep evolving. The strength of financial leadership is not only about figures but also about fostering sustainable growth. Together with the team, I am committed to building further on the solid foundations already in place.”
DEPARTURE OF MARGRET KLEINSMAN
Margret Kleinsman joined Royal Agrifirm Group as Chief Financial Officer on January 1, 2020. “Having roots in the agricultural sector, combined with international professional experience, Margret was the sparring partner we needed as a company. I am grateful for the steps we have taken under her leadership and the progress we have made together,” said Dick Hordijk, CEO of Agrifirm.
“The various transition projects were challenging, but I am pleased that we managed to achieve the specific objectives we had set. I would like to express my thanks to the various stakeholders for the freedom I was given and the confidence they showed in me, which made it possible to achieve these results together,” said Margret Kleinsman, CFO of Agrifirm.
Arian Kamp, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, added: “We are grateful to Margret for completing OneSAP, for building a strong, more business-driven Finance and IT team, and for the contribution she has made to the strategy of the business and the cooperative. We wish her every success in the future.”
This change in CFO will allow us to continue Agrifirm’s transition and put a responsible food chain in place for future generations.
