FrieslandCampina has confirmed a leadership transition within its cooperative and company governance structure, while also announcing the reappointment of Chief Executive Officer Jan Derck van Karnebeek for a second four-year term.
The announcement was made during the Members’ Council meeting of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. on 16 June 2026. The company also provided an update on trading conditions and business performance during the first half of 2026.
Current Chair Sybren Attema will step down on 15 December 2026 as Chair of both the Supervisory Board of Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. and the Board of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. He will be succeeded by Nils den Besten, a dairy farmer from Giessenburg in the Netherlands who has served on the Cooperative Board and Supervisory Board since 2021.
The transition comes as FrieslandCampina continues to reshape its business following the completion of its merger with Milcobel. The company said the combination has strengthened scale and resilience, helping create a stronger platform for long-term competitiveness and customer service.
Alongside the chair succession, the Supervisory Board confirmed that CEO Jan Derck van Karnebeek will be reappointed for a second four-year term beginning on 1 June 2027. The decision provides continuity at a time when dairy markets remain volatile and the company continues to execute integration and growth initiatives.
The cooperative also announced that Sandra Stuijk Pelkmans will become Vice-Chair of the Board of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. from 15 December 2026, succeeding Nils den Besten in that position.
The Members’ Council additionally approved the reappointment of Herman Bakhuis and Sandra Stuijk Pelkmans to the Cooperative Board for second terms.
Beyond the governance announcements, FrieslandCampina used the meeting to provide an update on business conditions during the first half of 2026.
According to Chief Financial Officer Hans Janssen, the company is operating in a challenging dairy market environment. Low basic dairy prices and significantly higher milk volumes have placed pressure on margins across the business.
Despite these headwinds, FrieslandCampina reported progress in expanding market share and delivering strong results in protein markets. The company also stated that the integration of both Milcobel and Wisconsin Whey Protein is progressing according to plan.
FrieslandCampina said its priorities for 2026 remain unchanged, with continued focus on profitable growth, margin improvement and cost control.
Why this matters
As one of the world’s largest dairy cooperatives, FrieslandCampina plays an important role in supplying dairy products and ingredients to supermarkets, food manufacturers and foodservice operators across international markets.
The company’s comments on weak dairy pricing, rising milk volumes and margin pressure provide insight into current conditions affecting the wider European dairy sector. At the same time, progress in protein markets and the ongoing Milcobel integration highlight areas where major dairy companies are seeking growth and operational efficiency.
The leadership transition and CEO reappointment are designed to provide continuity as FrieslandCampina navigates changing market conditions and continues implementing its long-term growth strategy.
