Dairy Farmers of Britain chief executive Andrew Cooksey has stood down following the completion of the company's restructuring process.
Cooksey, who has been at DFB for four years, left the farmer-owned co-operative this week after laying off up to a quarter of staff and completing a company restructure.
Cooksey had always intended to quit once the programme to decentralise the business and reduce costs, announced in November, had been completed, a spokesman said.
"Andrew has worked tirelessly over the past few years to reposition the business," said chairman John Grantchester.
Cooksey's exit is the latest in a string of departures, with non-executive chairman Rob Knight, commercial director David Potts and non-executive director Philip Moody all departing late last year.
DFB also announced this week it would split the business into two distinct divisions. The Milk Supply and Cheese division will focus on the collection of milk for distribution both to other processing customers and DFB's cheese facilities, while the Liquid Milk division will concentrate on the direct supply of fresh milk.
Director of milk supply Martin Armstrong becomes MD of the Milk Supply and Cheese division, while Gerry Smith, the current group operations director and former Greencore executive, takes the helm at the Liquid Milk business.
Chief financial officer Mark Strickland would continue to work across both divisions, reporting to the board of directors, the company confirmed.
The split into two distinct divisions would make the company more attractive to potential purchasers, said industry analysts. DFB announced in February that it had received an unsolicited approach for its business, though it has since refused to give any update on the status of the bid.
DFB has made three cuts to the milk price it pays members in recent months, in reflection of the difficult trading environment and the requirements of its banking covenants.
Cooksey, who has been at DFB for four years, left the farmer-owned co-operative this week after laying off up to a quarter of staff and completing a company restructure.
Cooksey had always intended to quit once the programme to decentralise the business and reduce costs, announced in November, had been completed, a spokesman said.
"Andrew has worked tirelessly over the past few years to reposition the business," said chairman John Grantchester.
Cooksey's exit is the latest in a string of departures, with non-executive chairman Rob Knight, commercial director David Potts and non-executive director Philip Moody all departing late last year.
DFB also announced this week it would split the business into two distinct divisions. The Milk Supply and Cheese division will focus on the collection of milk for distribution both to other processing customers and DFB's cheese facilities, while the Liquid Milk division will concentrate on the direct supply of fresh milk.
Director of milk supply Martin Armstrong becomes MD of the Milk Supply and Cheese division, while Gerry Smith, the current group operations director and former Greencore executive, takes the helm at the Liquid Milk business.
Chief financial officer Mark Strickland would continue to work across both divisions, reporting to the board of directors, the company confirmed.
The split into two distinct divisions would make the company more attractive to potential purchasers, said industry analysts. DFB announced in February that it had received an unsolicited approach for its business, though it has since refused to give any update on the status of the bid.
DFB has made three cuts to the milk price it pays members in recent months, in reflection of the difficult trading environment and the requirements of its banking covenants.
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