The Executive Committee of ForFarmers consists of the Executive Board and the other Directors. The Executive Board consists of Yoram Knoop (CEO), Arnout Traas (CFO) and Jan Potijk (COO).

Executive Board

Yoram Knoop
General Manager (CEO)

Yoram Knoop (1969, Dutch nationality) has been employed by ForFarmers since November 2013 and has been CEO of ForFarmers N.V. since 1 January 2014 (at the time ForFarmers B.V.). As Chairman of the Executive Committee he is ultimately responsible for all strategic and operational affairs. His current contract runs until the Annual General Meeting of shareholders in 2018 and is renewable for another term of four years after that. On account of his position, he is a member of the FEFAC Steering Group.

Arnout Traas
Financial Director (CFO)

Arnout Traas (1959, Dutch nationality) has been employed by ForFarmers as CFO since August 2011. He is responsible for Controlling/Finance, Information Technology, Legal Affairs, Risk Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Investor Relations. In the General Meeting of 15 April 2016, a term of four years was attached to his appointment, meaning that his mandate comes to an end at the end of the Annual General Meeting of shareholders in 2020, with the option of renewal.

Jan Potijk
Director (COO)

Jan Potijk (1958, Dutch nationality) started his career with (the predecessors of) ForFarmers in August 1983, and has been a member of the Executive Committee since July 2000. In his current role as Director (COO), he is responsible for ForFarmers in the Netherlands and for the companies Pavo and Reudink. During the General Meeting of 15 April 2016, a term of three years was attached to his appointment, meaning that his mandate comes to an end at the end of the Annual General Meeting of shareholders in 2019, with the option of renewal.

1.3.5.1

Executive Committee members

Iain Gardner
Director (COO)

Iain Gardner (1962, British nationality) has been employed by the legal predecessor of ForFarmers in the UK since March 1988 and, since the takeover of BOCM PAULS in July 2012, he is a member of the Executive Committee of ForFarmers. He is responsible for the activities of ForFarmers in the United Kingdom. His employment contract is permanent.

Steven Read
Director Supply Chain

Steven Read (1963, British nationality) has been employed by the legal predecessor of ForFarmers in the United Kingdom since September 1986, by ForFarmers since July 2012, and is a member of the Executive Committee since July 2014. As Director Supply Chain, he is responsible for Purchasing and Formulation and coordinates the pricing process. Since the retirement of former member of the Executive Committee Nico de Vos, on 1 January 2017, Steven Read is also responsible for Manufacturing & Logistics, which includes transport and programmes for improving operational activities, technology, Health & Safety and the quality programme. His employment contract is permanent.

Stijn Steendijk
Director Strategy & Organisation

Stijn Steendijk (1969, Dutch nationality) started at ForFarmers in July 2014 as Director Strategy & Organisation. He is responsible for Marketing, Commercial Excellence, Communications, Corporate Affairs, Sustainability, the Nutrition Innovation Centre (NIC) and Human Resources. His employment contract is permanent. 

Adrie van der Ven
Director (COO)

Adrie van der Ven (1963, Dutch nationality) has been employed by ForFarmers as a Director since 1 February 2016. He is responsible for ForFarmers’ business in Germany and Belgium and for the further international expansion of ForFarmers outside the current core countries. His employment contract is permanent.