Chair succession and CEO reappointment ensure a smooth transition and continuity in FrieslandCampina’s leadership
During the Members’ Council meeting of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. on 16 June 2026, an announcement was made about the succession of the Chair and Vice-Chair, and decisions were taken on reappointments within the Cooperative Board, effective from 15 December 2026. Chair Sybren Attema also announced that he will step down on that date and hand over the chairmanship to Nils den Besten. In addition, the Supervisory Board of Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. announced the reappointment of the CEO. A brief update was also provided on the company’s performance and developments during the first half of the year.
Announcement of chair succession
During the Members’ Council meeting, it was 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 said that FrieslandCampina is in a strong position and that, for him, this is the right moment to hand over the chairmanship.
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: “Looking back on the past few years, I am proud of what we have achieved together – especially during a challenging period: greater calm, stability and strength. With the merger with Milcobel and the steps we have taken, FrieslandCampina is now in a strong position. For me, this is the right moment to hand over the chairmanship. 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.
Nils den Besten: “I strongly believe in the strength of our cooperative and company: together, we ensure a leading milk price and stable long-term value. Just as on my own dairy farm, I like to look ahead, but a vision only has value if we translate it into what we do today. As Chair, I want to combine direction and pace with transparency, so that members, cooperative and company can continue to build a future-proof FrieslandCampina together.”
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.
Sybren Attema, in his role as Chair of the Board of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A., said: “With the appointment of Nils as Chair and Sandra as Vice-Chair, we have a strong and complementary board team in place. I have every confidence that they, together with the other board members, will further strengthen the continuity and future of FrieslandCampina.”
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.
Sound governance and safeguarding continuity
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.
Business update
During the Members’ Council meeting, Hans Janssen, CFO of FrieslandCampina, gave a brief business update. He indicated that results in the first half of 2026 are being affected by challenging market conditions, including low basic dairy prices and significantly increased milk volumes, which are putting margins under pressure. At the same time, he emphasised that the company is making progress in growing market shares, achieving strong results in protein markets, and that the integration of Milcobel and Wisconsin Whey Protein is progressing according to plan. Janssen stressed that the priorities for 2026 remain unchanged, with a focus on profitable growth, margin improvement and cost control. FrieslandCampina therefore continues to work in a focused way towards a sustainably strong position for both the cooperative and the company.