Royal Agrifirm’s CEO Dick Hordijk prepares to step down

NETHERLANDS – Royal Agrifirm Group, a major European agribusiness with several feed sectors, has announced a significant leadership change as CEO Dick Hordijk will be stepping down from his role in January 2025. 

After serving as the company’s CEO for the past eight years, Hordijk will pass the baton to his successor, who is expected to be announced within the coming weeks.

Since taking the helm in June 2016, Hordijk has successfully navigated Agrifirm through two strategic planning periods, reinforcing the cooperative’s position as a leader in sustainability and innovation within the agricultural sector. 

His leadership has been pivotal in shaping Agrifirm’s mission to support a responsible food chain for future generations, a key focus in the evolving landscape of the agri-food industry.

Agrifirm, a cooperative committed to helping its members enhance sustainability and optimise earning potential, has credited Hordijk for steering the company toward this sustainable future vision. 

Under his guidance, Agrifirm has emphasised its role in fostering innovative solutions while ensuring its members remain competitive in a rapidly changing market.

With a new strategic period for 2025-2028 taking shape, both the Supervisory Board and Hordijk have agreed that now is the ideal time to initiate the leadership transition. 

According to a press release, Hordijk will remain CEO until January 2025, completing the current strategic phase before the new leadership takes over.

Reflecting on Hordijk’s tenure, Agrifirm expressed deep gratitude for his contributions. “We are sincerely grateful to Dick for his tremendous contribution and inspiration and for taking Agrifirm in a new direction over the past eight years,” stated the Agrifirm team. 

“While we will take time to reflect on his achievements in due course, our immediate focus is on continuing to support our customers and working together on our plans for 2024.”

Agrifirm’s announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter in its leadership. The cooperative looks to the future with fresh strategic goals and a focus on maintaining its role as a forward-thinking leader in the global agricultural sector. 

Further details on Hordijk’s successor will be shared in the coming weeks as the company continues its journey toward building a more sustainable and resilient food chain.

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