Peter Lauritzen

Peter Lauritzen, CEO of Arla UK, is stepping down in August

The head of Arla’s UK business, Peter Lauritzen, is stepping down in August, to be replaced with Peter Gioertz-Carlsen, who currently heads up Arla Denmark.

Lauritzen, who has been at the helm of Arla UK since 2007, will continue to work for Arla’s global business before retiring in 2015.

“After 44 years of working for Arla, now feels like the right time to plan my future retirement,” Lauritzen said. “Working within the UK business has been one of the highlights of my career, having overseen the merger with Milk Link and integration of 2,800 British farmer owners into our European co-operative as well as the delivery of the world’s largest fresh milk facility in Aylesbury and other significant investments.”

Arla CEO Peder Tuborgh said Lauritzen had had “a phenomenal career with Arla” and played a key role in the growing the business. “He has played an important role in developing our European co-operative into the sixth largest dairy company in the world. His experience and energy will be missed and I wish to thank him for all that he has given to Arla.”

Gioertz-Carlsen, currently executive vice president of Arla Denmark, will take up his new position at Arla UK on 1 August. “His significant commercial track record and experience heading up Arla in Denmark coupled with his strategic insight, impressive leadership skills and relentless focus on the delivery of results for our farmer owners make him the right person to build on the success of his predecessor,” said Tuborgh.

Gioertz-Carlsen said the UK was a “dynamic and exciting market” full of opportunities. “Contributing over a quarter of our global turnover, the business has already achieved many milestones including its undisputed number-one co-operative position in the UK. I look forward to taking the business from strength to strength.”