Netherlands-based Vion Food Group has named CFO Tjarda Klimp to take the reins as CEO from Ronald Lotgerink.

Klimp will succeed Lotgerink, who is set to step down at the end of 2024 as the meat group finalises a review of its portfolio in Germany.

Lotgerink has been at the helm of Vion since 2018, having previously served as CEO of Zwanenberg Food Group. Meanwhile, Klimp joined Vion in 2021 as CFO with prior experience in the healthcare sector and chemical industry.

Klimp said: “With my farming background, I am proud to lead Vion towards a future-proof organisation, with strong collaboration and innovation as guiding principles.

“Together with our committed colleagues and supply chain partners, we are working on food safety, economical security for farmers, and affordability for consumers with a strong focus on sustainability for people, the environment, and animals.”

Theo Koekkoek, chairman of Vion’s supervisory board, added: “We sincerely thank Ronald Lotgerink for his commitment and leadership, having guided Vion through a significant part of its transformation towards becoming a fully chain-driven company.

“We are sure that Tjarda Klimp will complete this transformation and lead Vion into a successful and sustainable future.”

Boxtel-headquartered Vion has been making moves to scale down in Germany and focus on its operations in the Benelux markets. Its annual report is due to be published next month.

Last week, German meat giant Tönnies struck a deal to acquire beef assets in the country from Vion, covering the “majority” of the Dutch group's business there, according to a statement.

The deal will see Tönnies buy beef sites in Buchloe, Crailsheim and Waldkraiburg in southern Germany. It also plans to take on a deboning facility in Hilden and two hide-processing units in Memmingen and Eching-Weixerau. The transaction also includes “the majority of Vion’s German central support activities”, Vion said.

Last month, Vion sold its stake in two sites in Germany to fellow meat business Erzeugergemeinschaft Südbayern.

In January, the company closed one site in Germany and struck a deal to sell three others in the country.

August also saw Vion reveal around 165 jobs will be affected in the Netherlands as it continues to streamline its business.

The Boxtel-headquartered company said in a statement there will be around 40 “compulsory redundancies”. It said “changing market conditions require adjustments to the size of the organisation”.