Fonterra’s numbers man goes to global operations
Fonterra’s numbers man, Lukas Paravicini, will become the chief operating officer of part of its global business in June.
The dairy co-operative’s chief financial officer, fluent in many languages, will take on the role of leading the Global Consumer and Foodservice business unit. Fonterra has not indicated if his hefty salary will be increased.
He will replace Jacqueline Chow, who was appointed to the role last June under the understanding that she would only hold the position for a year, in the lead up to her return to Australia to pursue a board career.
Until June, Paravicini will continue as the chief financial officer to ensure there is ‘‘stability and consistency’’ in the book keeping through to the announcement of Fonterra’s results for the financial year, ending on July 31. Fonterra has confirmed that it is proceeding with appointing a new chief financial officer and is aiming to announce a replacement over the next few months. Chief executive Theo Spierings said that he was delighted to have someone of Paravicini’s calibre to continue leading the consumer and foodservice business.
‘‘Mr Paravicini has been with Fonterra for over three years and is well known to us as a worldclass finance executive. He came to us from Nestle with not only international finance experience but a successful career leading global food businesses in established and emerging markets,’’ he said. ‘‘Lukas has an in-depth understanding of global brands and the importance of meeting and anticipating the needs of customers through constant innovation and worldclass performance. He and his family have experienced many different cultures around the world and he is fluent in five languages.’’
Spierings said Chow deserved praise for her work in bringing together the new business unit with her consumer, foodservice and leadership experience.