Jonkman Appointed Corporate Director Research & Development at FrieslandCampina

12 Jun 2014 --- Margrethe Jonkman, currently Director Innovation Infant & Toddler Nutrition, has been appointed as Corporate Director Research & Development at FrieslandCampina effective 1 October 2014. She will succeed Emmo Meijer, who has held the position since April 2011 and will retire after a career spanning nearly 40 years at various companies.

Cees ‘t Hart, CEO Royal FrieslandCampina: “We are pleased to welcome Margrethe Jonkman as successor of Emmo Meijer in this important position. During the past three and a half years, major milestones have been reached under his helm, including the creation of the new Innovation Centre in Wageningen and the establishment of the Development Centre in Singapore. He played an important role in consolidating all FrieslandCampina’s R&D resources into one global organisation and harmonising the related management and innovation processes. We thank Emmo for his commitment and contribution and wish him all the best in pursuing his academic and advisory activities. And of course we wish Margrethe much success in her new position.”

Margrethe Jonkman (1969) studied at Wageningen University and received her PhD at the same university. She joined FrieslandCampina in 1997 and has held her current position since January 2011. She headed up the research and development programme of FrieslandCampina's global Infant and Toddler Nutrition category. This category includes brands like Friso, Frisian Flag and Dutch Lady. As Corporate Director Research & Development, Jonkman will report to Cees ‘t Hart, Chief Executive Officer Royal FrieslandCampina, and will be located at the FrieslandCampina Innovation Centre in Wageningen (the Netherlands).

Emmo Meijer (1951) studied chemistry at the Free University of Amsterdam and received his doctoral degree in 1979 He held various executive research and business management positions at large corporates, including DSM and Unilever. Meijer is also part-time professor at the Eindhoven University of Technology. His other positions include amongst others the chairmanship of the Supervisory Board of the Utrecht University, the board membership of the Leuven University, the membership of the Advisory Council on science, technology and innovation policies, the chairmanship of the Top Institute for Food and Nutrition (TIFN) and the Top Consortium for Agri&Food in the Netherlands.