Mike Cronin, currently group director governance and legal, has moved into the newly created role of managing director corporate affairs.
Joanne Fair, currently regional director ingredients for South-East Asia, has been appointed managing director people and culture.
Cronin’s appointment is immediate, while Fair begins her new role on July 1.
Waikato University agribusiness professor Dr Jacqueline Rowarth said she applauded the appointments being made internally rather than from outside.
She said as part of the top team reporting direct to CEO Theo Spierings they would earn more than $1 million.
Website lawfuel.com describes Cronin as a «power player» in the organisation. He came to Fonterra after working for Russell McVeagh and in London, although his legal career started with Chapman Tripp.
Spierings said Cronin’s connection with the business, and its risk and reputation drivers, made him the natural choice for the role.
«Mike has extensive experience in corporate risk and reputation management, and providing trusted strategic counsel to the co-operative. He has an in-depth understanding of New Zealand and the co-operative, and the internal and external dynamics of our business,» Spierings said.
Cronin would lead a team responsible for enhancing and protecting Fonterra’s brand and reputation, including governance and legal, health and safety, food safety and quality, brand, social responsibility and communications, and stakeholder affairs.
Fair replaces Maury Leyland. Fonterra said she had a background and expertise in human resources and had held global and regional commercial leadership roles, having worked with Fonterra across New Zealand, Latin America, Europe and South-East Asia.
She had a decade working in the dairy industry.
Source: Stuff