Danish food ingredients firm Danisco has announced management changes designed to increase focus on the upcoming integration of Genencor and to secure a smooth management succession in the Danisco Flavours, Danisco Cultures and Danisco Specialities divisions it said today (Tuesday).

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Robert H. Mayer, executive vice president and executive board member at Danisco, is appointed chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Genencor International Inc. with immediate effect in order to secure a smooth and effective alignment of Genencor with the Danisco organisation.


As of 1 May 2005, Robert H. Mayer will consequently be released from his current general responsibilities. He will as planned step down from Danisco´s executive board and executive committee effective 31 August 2005 but will continue in his new role until further notice.


Tjerk de Ruiter takes over the general responsibility of Danisco Flavours, Danisco Cultures and Danisco Specialities as of 1 May 2005 and is appointed chief operating officer for these divisions. Tjerk de Ruiter continues to serve on Danisco´s executive committee, and he will maintain his residence in the USA. Tjerk de Ruiter joined Danisco in 1998 and has been in charge of Danisco´s global sales organisation.


Ole Søgaard Andersen will succeed Tjerk de Ruiter on 1 May 2005 as responsible for Danisco´s sales organisation. He is appointed senior vice president, and he also becomes a member of Danisco´s executive committee. Ole Søgaard Andersen has had a long career in the food ingredients industry. He joined Danisco in 2002 as head of Danisco Functional Systems and continues in that capacity until his successor has been appointed.

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