Arla strengthens leadership in Germany with appointment of Ingo Müller as Head of Germany

Arla continues integration of merger with DMK group with a focus on stability while building for the future with leadership appointments in Germany and the Netherlands

Following the successful approval of the merger between Arla Foods and DMK Group, the company is taking the next steps in shaping its future organisation, with a particular focus on strengthening leadership in key markets while ensuring stability in day-to-day operations. As part of this, Ingo Müller, CEO of DMK group, has been appointed Head of Germany in the new joint business with immediate effect as well as his role as Chief Integration Officer in Arla’s Executive Management Team which has been announced earlier.

Ingo Müller underlined the strategic direction:

“Germany is a key market for the combined company, and I’m proud to take on this role at such an important moment. We are bringing together strong capabilities, deep local expertise and highly committed colleagues, and our focus is clear: to build a strong, unified organisation while ensuring stability for our customers, farmers and partners.”

Arla CEO Peder Tuborgh emphasised the shared vision:

“Germany is one of our most important markets, and Ingo is the right person to lead the business forward. He brings deep market understanding, strong leadership and the trust of both colleagues and farmer owners. With this appointment, we are strengthening our ability to combine continuity in the business with a clear ambition to build a stronger, more integrated company for the future.”

In addition to leading the German business, Ingo Müller will continue to play a key role in driving the integration as Chief Integration Officer, working closely with the Executive Management Team to bring the two organisations together and realise the full potential of the merger.

Ensuring stability while building the future organisation

The integration of Arla and DMK follows a clear principle: ensuring stability in day-to-day operations while gradually building the future organisation.

Arla’s German market is establishing its future leadership structure under the direction of Ingo Müller. A cross-functional leadership team is being formed, bringing together key functions across the new joint organisation for the German market to support the long-term development of the combined business. Together with his future leadership team, Ingo Müller will now define the future direction of the German business, enabling a strong transition to a joint operating model over the coming months.

From June 3rd, the future German Leadership Team will begin defining the future direction of the combined business, developing one strong team and will hold the commercial P&L accountability. At the same time, during the integration phase, DMK will initially be managed as a separate business unit within the Arla structure, led by its existing Executive Management Team.

Leaders from DMK and Arla will continue to play a key role in ensuring stability in the transition period, alongside further development of the combined organisation and enable a successful integration. The day-to-day business will continue to be managed through the two respective operating models.

For a full overview of leadership appointments related to the future German organisation, please see below.

Strengthening leadership across key markets

In addition to Germany, Arla is also taking steps to strengthen its leadership structure in the other central European key markets (Benelux and France), who play an important role in the combined company’s European footprint.

Esther Tromp-Strijdveen continues as Head of Benelux and France, and welcomes two new roles to the Benelux and France leadership team. As Head of Uniekaas Holland B.V., Ron Krekels is appointed to become part of Esther’s leadership team, together with a newly added vacant role as Head of Agriculture Benelux that will report directly to the Head of Agriculture, Ian Brown, but also be part of the Benelux and France leadership team.

Here too, the existing business remains stable, whilst at the same time integration is being prepared and driven forward step by step.

Full list of announcements in the organisation

German Leadership Team:

Ingo Müller is appointed Head of Germany in the new joint business. In this function, he will report to Mark Boot, Head of Europe, Arla. This is in addition to his role as Chief Integration Officer in the Arla Executive Management Team. In this function he will report to Peder Tuborgh, CEO of Arla Foods. He will continue as CEO of DMK Group during the transition.

Tino Gottschalk has been appointed Head of Finance in Germany in the new joint business, reporting to Ingo Müller. Tino has held the role of Head of Finance Germany at Arla and has served as interim Head of Germany since April 2025.

Christian Fischer has been appointed Head of Marketing in Germany in the new joint business, reporting to Ingo Müller. Christian comes from the role of Head of Milk Based Beverages at Arla and has extensive experience in driving global brands and portfolios at Arla.

Carsten Habermann is appointed Head of Brand Sales in Germany in the new joint business, reporting to Ingo Müller. Carsten comes from the role of COO Business Unit Brand at DMK. While the integration progresses, Carsten will continue to lead the DMK Business Unit Brand and manage the business unit’s integration.

Stefan Keller is appointed Head of Private Label Sales in Germany in the new joint business, reporting to Ingo Müller. While the integration progresses, Stefan will continue to lead the DMK Business Unit Private Label and manage the business unit’s integration.

Katharina Brauckmann has been appointed Head of Foodservice in Germany in the new joint business, reporting to Ingo Müller. Katharina comes from the role of Key Account Director for Edeka and Rewe at Arla, and she previously held the role of Head of Foodservice in Germany.

Dr Klaus Hein has been appointed Head of Agriculture in Germany in the new joint business, reporting to Ian Brown, Head of Agriculture, Arla. Klaus will be part of the German Leadership Team, headed up by Ingo Müller. While the integration progresses, Klaus will continue to lead the Agriculture team at DMK.

Thomas Hermann has been appointed Head of Supply Chain in Germany in the new joint business, reporting to David Boulanger, Head of Supply Chain, Arla. Thomas will be part of the German Leadership Team, headed up by Ingo Müller. While the integration progresses, Thomas will continue to lead the Supply Chain Management team at DMK.

Carla Henckel has been appointed Head of Communications in Germany, in the new joint business, reporting to Mariam Skovfoged, Head of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, Arla. Carla will be part of the German Leadership Team, headed up by Ingo Müller.

Dr Philipp Inderhees has been appointed Head of Strategy, Business Development & Sustainability for Germany in the new joint business, reporting to Anders B. Iversen, Head of Global Strategy and Business Development, Arla. He will lead the commercial strategy and sustainability agenda in Germany and be part of the German Leadership Team, headed up by Ingo Müller. While the integration progresses, Philipp will support the post merger process through his role in the integration management office (IMO) and as Integration Lead for the DMK Business Unit. As the HR function will support the overall business and our colleagues through the integration, any announcements will be made at a later stage.

Other global key leadership changes:

Ines Krummacker is appointed Head of Arla Business Services & Transformation in the new joint business, reporting to Torben Dahl Nyholm, Head of Finance Legal, IT & Strategy, Arla, in addition to her current role in the DMK Executive Management Board.

Carsten Bönig will in addition to CFO of DMK Group, he will oversee the financial integration as part of the merger, reporting to Ingo Müller, CINTO.

Oliver Bartelt is appointed Head of Corporate Visual Identity, Digital Platforms & Consumer Dialogue in the new joint business, reporting to Mariam Skovfoged, Head of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs, Arla. While the integration progresses, he will continue in his role as Global Head of Corporate Communications at DMK.

Ian Brown is appointed Head of Agriculture, reporting to Hanne Soendergaard, Head of Agriculture, Sustainability & Communication, Arla.

Anna Månsson is appointed Head of Milk Based Beverages (MBB) reporting to Patrik Hansson, Head of Marketing & Innovation, Arla.