Jan Wolthuis steps down as chairman of Agrico; Financial Report released

During the central general members’ meeting earlier in December, Mr Jan Wolthuis stepped down as chairman of Agrico.

This signalled the end of an active 12-year term of service during which Mr Wolthuis fulfilled may board duties at Agrico. In the last five years, he held the position of chairman of the cooperative.

Mr Wolthuis took up this position in the turbulent period following the sale of the industrial potato division. Agrico has experienced a flourishing and stable period under his committed leadership. The summit of his achievement was the implementation of a new board structure in the summer of 2014.

Mr Wolthuis was presented on behalf of the members with a sculpture that symbolises connection. A sense of connection was a value that always occupied a prominent place during Mr Wolthuis’ term of office as chairman. In recognition of his immense contribution to the cooperative, Mr Wolthuis was also appointed a member of merit.

Following the central members’ meeting, the board of members formally adopted the annual figures for 2015/2016 on Tuesday, December 20th. In the financial year 2015/2016 Agrico paid its members a record sum.

In addition, the participating interest in Turkey has been expanded and a joint venture was started in Kenya.

An important change compared with other years is the method of profit appropriation and capital formation, as a consequence of the cooperative’s new financing policy.

A new member of the supervisory board was also appointed at the meeting by the board of members to fill the vacancy left by Mr Wolthuis.

Mrs S.K. (Sigrid) Hoekstra from Groningen, was appointed as an external member of the supervisory board, bringing expertise in organisational theory and corporate governance.

Ms Hoekstra holds the position of director and board member at housing association WoonFriesland and is chair of the supervisory board at Univé Groningen. Since the implementation of the new management model in August 2014, a personal union between the supervisory board and the board of directors has existed at Agrico. Ms Hoekstra will therefore combine her supervisory duties at Agrico with her role as a board member of the cooperative.

At the meeting, Mr Wolthuis handed over the chairman's gavel to Mr Adrie Vermeulen, an arable farmer from Swifterbant.

The board of members appointed Mr Vermeulen as the new chairman of the cooperative commencing on 20 December 2016.