FDBusiness.com

Ton Christiaanse, chief executive of VION Food UK and also a member of the parent group’s executive board, has decided to leave the Dutch food and ingredients manufacturer. He was appointed chief executive of VION Food UK after the acquisition of the Grampian Country Food Group in 2008 and successfully headed the subsequent integration and restructuring of the enlarged business. However, this now obviates the dual role of chief executive of VION Food UK and member of the executive board of VION.

Maarten Kusters, currently director of operations of VION Food Netherlands, will be appointed chief executive of VION Food UK as of March 1st 2012. The board of directors of VION Food Netherlandswill take over Maarten Kusters’ activities. Ton Christiaanse will actively support VION Food UK until mid-2012 focusing on achieving strategic projects and ensuring a smooth transfer of his responsibilities. Peter Barr CBE, the former chairman of the British Meat and Livestock Commission, will continue to be VION UK’s non-executive chairman.

Based in Eindhoven, VION has an annual turnover of Eur8.9 billion and has well over 26,500 employees. It is owned by co-operative ZLTO (Dutch Southern Farmers and Market Gardeners Union).