Danish food ingredients firm Chr. Hansen has announced that it has chosen Jens Bigum, former CEO of dairy company ARLA, as chairman of the board.


“For us, it was important to get a Danish chairman who knows the Danish rules of the game and who would be a strong partner for the management team. I see it as a huge advantage to have someone like Jens Bigum, who is deeply rooted in the Danish food industry, on the team,” said Lars Frederiksen, president and CEO.


“Jens Bigum is the perfect chairman of Chr. Hansen in the challenges we are facing with high demands on growth and profitability,” Frederiksen said.


“With his massive knowledge and experience from the dairy and food industries, also globally, he will be able to support and strengthen us in the coming period,” he said. The fact that he is also chairman of Denmark’s second largest university, Aarhus University, is an additional advantage, which will reinforce Chr. Hansen’s traditional ties to the university and research environment in Denmark and the rest of the world.”


“I am happy to accept the task as chairman of Chr. Hansen,” said Jens Bigum.

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“I have known Chr. Hansen for many years and always found it an exciting company with a large potential, which is clearly demonstrated by the past years’ expansion in Eastern Europe, the Far East and South America,” he said. “Now we are at the threshold of a new phase where importance will be attached to further growth, both organically and via acquisitions. In the further development, importance will also be attached to a meticulous focus on selected areas for the company. What I expect to contribute is a thorough knowledge of how Chr. Hansen’s customers think, and of course my experience from running a large international company.”

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