Dutch importer confirms current chief executive officer Fred van Heyningen will step down as of 1 June

Adriëlle Dankier has been named as the new chief executive officer of leading Dutch importer Nature’s Pride, after Fred van Heyningen steps down from the role at the end of May 2022.

Van Heyningen, who has led the company for the past six years, will hand over his responsibilities to Dankier, the company’s current chief commercial officer and an ever-present at the group since it was founded.

Adriëlle will also continue as CCO until further notice.

Commenting on the appointment, Petra Axdorff, CEO of majority stakeholder Bama Gruppen, and Kristian Nergaard, chairman of the supervisory board, said: “We want to thank Fred for his dedication to delivering the best quality and service to our customers across Europe for many years, and wish him all the best for the future and with his further assignments.

“At the same time,” they added, “we are delighted that the Supervisory Board has appointed Adriëlle to lead Nature’s Pride into the future. Nature’s Pride requires strong leadership, lots of energy and longevity.

“Adriëlle is a leader who will continue to develop our close collaboration with suppliers and customers of exotic fruits and vegetables, based on consumer insights, and make sure the company stays ahead within our product categories in Europe. The focus in the new era will amongst others be on automation, digitisation, diversification, and cost efficiency.”

The next step

Fred van Heyningen commented: “Having worked for six wonderful years at Nature’s Pride, it is time for the next step. In September, I asked the Supervisory Board of Nature’s Pride to start the process for my succession.

“This resulted in the appointment of Adriëlle Dankier, CCO of Nature’s Pride and my close partner over the past six years. I wish Adriëlle all the best in her new position and am confident that Nature’s Pride will have a great future.”

Dankier said: “I am grateful for the close cooperation with Fred. In addition, I would also like to thank the Supervisory Board for their trust in me. I am looking forward to building further on our Nature’s Pride values: Together, Passion and Pioneer.

“Together with all my colleagues, I want to make full use of Nature’s Pride strength and potential by striving for perfect partnerships with our suppliers and customers. We can only let consumers genuinely enjoy our tasty products if we collaborate as partners.”

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