Stable builder wanted
What requirements must the new boss of Vion meet?
Vion and long-serving CEOs don't mix. For a while it seemed that Francis Kint would hold out for some time, but he also greets 3 years off and moves to a Belgian competitor. This leaves the longest-serving CEO in ages. What kind of candidate will succeed him?
In recent years, Vion has worn out many CEOs. Between December 2009 and September 2012, the German Uwe Tilmann was the top boss at the meat company, having already started working as COO in 2003. Tilmann was fired because he was not considered suitable to put the finances at Vion in order. His successor Dirk Kloosterboer was not here to stay either.
The coming and going of CEOs
From September 2012 monastery farmer the highest boss, only to quit again 8 months later. Before that, he was also active as COO. Under his leadership, operations in Great Britain were discontinued, which proved unsuccessful. Kloosterboer moved with the sold division 'Ingredients' to the American Darling International. Vion received €1,6 billion for the sale of Ingredients. With this, Vion was out of the red in one fell swoop.
Yet this was not enough for stability at the top, because Rob Ruijter (Kloosterboer's successor) did not stay long either. The penultimate CEO at Vion was Michiel Herkemij. He took office in January 2014, but was forced to resign 1 year later. He was succeeded (ad interim) in January 2015 by Tom Heidman, who 9 months later gave way for the Belgian Francis Kint. Heidman then took a seat on the supervisory board, where he still sits.
A fresh win with Kint
With the arrival of Francis Kint (September 2015), a breath of fresh air started to blow at Vion. Under his leadership, green numbers were again written. Vion also launched several innovative concepts in pig and cattle farming.
An investment amount of €260 million has been made available to prepare Vion for the future. Vion has also worked on transparency in recent years. In June 2018 it will come to an end Kint era† A top executive who stays on for 3 years may be tall by Vion standards; On average, however, a CEO sits for about 8 years.
Who should be the successor?
It is not yet known who will succeed Kint. The past shows that the CEOs from their own ranks have not been particularly successful. The new CEO does not necessarily have to have a 'track record' in meat. After all, Francis Kint, the most successful CEO in ages, was an outsider from the fruit and vegetable sector.
Incidentally, the new CEO does not have to be a crisis manager, given Vion de way up it smashed. This undoubtedly makes the search easier. However, Vion is probably not waiting for a new 'job hopper'. It's time for a stable builder.
Wouter Job
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