Fonterra Makes Top R&D Appointment

17 December 2001

Dr Chris Mallett will be Director, Research & Development at Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd, the company’s Chief Development Officer, Alexander Töldte, announced today.

“Fonterra sees R&D and building a culture of innovation as critical to delivering on the promises we have made to shareholders,” Mr Töldte said. “Chris is one of the world’s leading experts in food, biotechnology and agribusiness R&D and its integration with business strategy and we are pleased he is to take a leading role with the company.”

Mr Töldte said Dr Mallett would be responsible for leading the development and implementation of an R&D strategy and aligning R&D efforts across the group, and would have direct line responsibility for the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute (NZDRI).

“We are looking to Chris to provide world-class R&D leadership that creates commercial options for the future, meets the innovation needs of NZMP and NEW ZEALAND MILK and develops the R&D skills and talents that Fonterra and New Zealand need,” Mr Töldte said.

Dr Mallett comes to Fonterra via the New Zealand Dairy Board which he joined this year. He has held leading roles with Unilever and the prestigious Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Institution in Australia. He has a distinguished academic record, including a Doctorate in Chemistry from Oxford and has held advisory roles to the prime ministers of Australia and the United Kingdom.

Dr Mallett will report to Mr Töldte. He takes up his appointment immediately and will be based in Auckland.

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