Friday 19 October 2001 For Immediate Release
Alexander Töldte Appointed To Strategy Job
Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has made an external appointment to its top strategy job.
Alexander Töldte, a German citzen who has extensive international business experience with McKinsey & Company and New Zealand experience as a leader of Fletcher companies, will be Chief Development Officer and Managing
Director of Fonterra Enterprises.
Fonterra CEO Craig Norgate said the company was delighted to have appointed a candidate of Mr Töldte’s stature.
“Alexander is a very experienced international businessman. We see him as bringing new external perspectives to the
company and we are fortunate to have him aboard. He offers a huge breadth of experience, having worked in Europe, North
America and globally in a wide range of sectors. His leadership and management skills are well known, from his
experiences as Global Practice Leader at McKinsey and in CEO and chairmanship roles for Fletcher companies. His skills
and proven effectiveness in many countries and cultures will complement those of the rest of the senior team. He will
add huge value to Fonterra,“ Mr Norgate said.
Mr Töldte said he was looking forward to joining Fonterra on Tuesday morning.
“Fonterra is a new company with high aspirations, great standing with customers and a truly multinational scope. My
first priority is to meet the key people in the company, listen and learn, and begin contributing early to the company’s
bold plans to move the New Zealand dairy industry to the next stage of its development,“ Mr Töldte said.
As Chief Development Officer, Mr Töldte will be responsible for creating an environment at Fonterra where innovation is
valued, and where research & development activities become a source of competitive advantage and drive commercial outcomes for NZMP and NEW ZEALAND
MILK. He will be responsible for the company’s relationship with Government and external stakeholders.
Fonterra Enterprises will encompass key future-focussed businesses, including biotechnology, e-commerce and rural supply
activities. Mr Töldte will manage and develop those businesses so that they grow.
Mr Töldte will report to Mr Norgate and be a member of Fonterra’s senior team, along with NZMP Managing Director Chris
Moller, NEW ZEALAND MILK Managing Director David Pilkington and Chief Financial Officer Graham Stuart. The final member
of the senior team will be the yet-to-be-appointed Group Director Human Resources. That appointment is expected in the
near future.
END