Arla elects new member to Board of Directors

Farmer-owned cooperative, Arla Foods, has today announced the Board of Directors (BoD) for the coming two years. Representing the UK, George Holmes has been elected to replace Johnnie Russell, who stepped down after 12 years on the Board.  

Overseeing management of the company, the BoD is responsible for inputting into key strategic business decisions and approving all investment spend. The board consists of representatives from all of Arla’s core European markets but this was particularly significant for the UK farmers as they saw long-time member Johnnie Russell step down.  

A Board member since 2012, Johnnie oversaw several pivotal events at Arla such as the introduction of SIM and the launch of Arlagården, as well as world events such as the COVID pandemic. Prior to joining the Arla Board of Directors, Johnnie was a board member of Milk Link for five years, and was involved in arranging the merger with Arla.  

Board of Directors member Arthur Fearnell said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to the UK Area Forum for putting their trust and confidence in me to represent them on the BoD them for another two years and to say thank you to Johnnie for his expertise, in-depth financial knowledge and support going back over many years, he will most certainly be missed on the board.”  

Board of Directors member George Holmes said: “I am honoured to have been chosen to succeed Johnnie Russell, who has given tremendous service on behalf of farmers to Arla over the last 12 years. I will do my best to repay the faith and fulfil the expectation placed in me by the UK representatives."  

Former Board of Directors member Johnnie Russell said: “I would just like to say that it has been a great privilege to represent UK owners on the board of Arla to work with all the talented people who work so hard for us farmers.”  

Arla’s Board of Directors consists of 14 farmer owners and two external members, who are elected by the Board of Representatives. Arla employees are represented on the Board by three members, who are elected by Arla’s European Works Council.  

Arla’s Board of Directors 2024-2026:  

Chair, Jan Toft Nørgaard, Denmark, Board member since 1998, Chairman since 2018

Vice Chair,  Inger-Lise Sjöström, Sweden, Board member since 2017

Arthur Fearnall, UK, Board member since 2017.  

Marcel Goffinet, Belgium, Board member since 2019.  

Daniel Halmsjö, Sweden, Board member since 2022.  

Bjørn Jepsen, Denmark, Board member since 2011.  

Jørn Kjær Madsen, Denmark, Board member since 2019.  

Gustav Kämpe, Sweden, Board member since 2021.  

René Lund Hansen, Denmark, Board member since 2019.  

Steen Nørgaard Madsen, Denmark, Board member since 2005.  

Simon Simonsen, Denmark, Board member since 2017.  

Marita Wolf, Sweden, Board member since 2021.  

Markus Hübers, Germany, Board member since 2024.  

George Holmes, UK, Board member since 2024.  

Nana Bule, Denmark, Board member since 2022. External advisor since 2019.  

Florence Rollet, France, Board member since 2022. External advisor since 2019.   

Employee representative, Paul Cullen, UK, Board member since 2024.  

Employee representative, Holger Steen Lund, Denmark, Board member since 2024.  

Employee representative, Anders Olsson, Sweden, Board member since 2022.  

Employee representative, Anders Olsson, Sweden, Board member since 2022.