Sybren Attema steps down as CEO of Supervisory Board of FrieslandCampina

SWITZERLAND – FrieslandCampina has announced that Sybren Attema will step down on 15 December 2026 as Chair of both the Supervisory Board of Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. and the Board of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A., handing over the chairmanship to Nils den Besten.

Attema took office in 2021 and has led FrieslandCampina through a challenging period. The cooperative and the company express their great appreciation for his contribution to calm and stability. Under his chairmanship, the merger with Milcobel was also completed.

Through this joining of forces, the cooperative and the company have gained greater scale and resilience, providing a strong foundation for remaining competitive and agile in the future and continuing to create value for members and customers.

Sybren Attema, stated, “I have every confidence that Nils, together with the Cooperative Board and the company’s Supervisory Board, will provide direction for the next phase, with due regard for the interests of members and the business: building a future-proof cooperative that creates value for members and remains relevant to customers and society.”

His successor, Nils den Besten, is a member dairy farmer and runs a dairy farm in Giessenburg (the Netherlands). Since 7 October 2021, he has served on the Cooperative Board and the Supervisory Board.

His profile and experience make him well suited to lead FrieslandCampina through its next phase: future-focused and stable, with continued attention to member value and the strength of the business.

Reappointment of CEO

In addition, Chair Sybren Attema, on behalf of the Supervisory Board, announced that Jan Derck van Karnebeek will be reappointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a second term of four years, with effect from 1 June 2027.

Sybren Attema, in his role as Chair of the Supervisory Board, said: “A lot is happening in the world. That is precisely why we believe it is important to provide clarity about the leadership of FrieslandCampina in good time.

The Supervisory Board has decided to confirm the reappointment of Jan Derck van Karnebeek at this stage, based on the great confidence we have in his leadership and in the course he has set together with the Executive Board – a course that has contributed to better results in recent years. In doing so, we are providing calm and continuity.”

New Vice-Chair of the cooperative

It was also announced that Sandra Stuijk Pelkmans, a dairy farmer from Alphen (the Netherlands), will be appointed Vice-Chair of the Board of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. with effect from 15 December 2026.

In that role, she will succeed Nils den Besten. With her experience, financial and banking expertise, sharp insight, careful approach, and collaborative style, she will strengthen continuity and cooperation within the Cooperative Board, with due regard for all members. Baptiest Coopmans will remain Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board.

Reappointments to the Board and Supervisory Board

The Members’ Council has approved the reappointment of Herman Bakhuis and Sandra Stuijk Pelkmans as members of the Board of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. for a second term.

Bakhuis is a dairy farmer and entrepreneur from Hellendoorn (the Netherlands). Both reappointments will take effect on 15 December 2026.

Members of the Cooperative Board also automatically serve on the company’s Supervisory Board. The Chair of the Supervisory Board is elected by the members of the Supervisory Board.

The appointments and reappointments form part of a process that has been prepared carefully and jointly within FrieslandCampina’s governance cycle.

In this way, continuity, stability and strong governance of the cooperative and the company are safeguarded.

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