Torben Dahl Nyholm appointed as Arla Foods CFO

Arla Foods has announced the appointment of Torben Dahl Nyholm as its Chief Financial Officer, with immediate effect, in a move that underlines the strength of the company’s bench of senior talent and its commitment to leadership development. Torben currently heads Arla’s Performance Management function and has been reporting directly to CEO Peder Tuborgh since the departure of former CFO, Natalie Knight, earlier this year.

Commenting on the appointment, CEO Peder Tuborgh said: “I am delighted to appoint Torben as our CFO and welcome him to my Executive Management Team (EMT). He is an outstanding young leader who has already shown our Board of Directors and colleagues the strength of his financial governance and the depth and breadth of his understanding of not only our business but also our co-operative as he has worked with me and my EMT to safeguard the safety of our people, operations and finances during what is the most testing global crisis that businesses have faced for many generations.”

As CFO, Torben has Executive responsibility for the Company’s Finance, Legal and IT functions and inherits a strong leadership team, which he has been a part of. Torben, who is 38 years-old, joined Arla in 2012 after working for several years in the M&A advisory industry. Starting out in Arla as a Business Controller in group finance, he has subsequently held a number of significant project and leadership roles across the Finance organisation focusing mainly on the interface between finance and strategy, enabling him to build a detailed understanding of the business.

As Head of Performance Management, Torben has worked closely with both the EMT and Board of Directors on both the Company’s long-term financial outlook and strategy, its Calcium transformation programme and the short-term delivery of financial results. The role also requires high levels of collaboration with the Company’s commercial, supply chain operations and corporate functions.

Commenting on his appointment, Torben said: “I am excited, but at the same time humble about stepping into the role as CFO for Arla Foods – a great company where I have been fortunate to work for the last eight years. I look forward to working with my great colleagues in our collective endeavour to continue to grow Arla Foods and create value for our farmer owners, by bringing loved brands and great products to our consumers around the world.”

Torben holds a M.Sc. in Finance and International Business from Aarhus University, where, earlier in his career he also lectured part time in corporate valuation. Married to Rikke, they have two children and live in the Silkeborg area west of Aarhus in Denmark. Please join us in congratulating Torben on his appointment.