ABNA, Britain's biggest supply side agribusiness and the agricultural group of Associated British Foods plc, has appointed Richard Cooper to spearhead the development of its international feed ingredients business.
Richard, who takes up the position of Managing Director, Feed Ingredients at ABNA on May 24th, brings wide experience of the industry to the role. He is a former President of Cultor Feed Ingredients and before then Managing Director of Finfeeds International Ltd. He has broad international experience having lived and worked in South America and the Middle East and led joint venture operations with Dutch, Finnish, German and American partners.
"The international animal feed industry has become very specialised and sophisticated. Primary producers are looking for ingredients that offer even the smallest performance gains and added end product quality to give them the edge over competitors in what is increasingly a world market.
"ABNA has the financial resources, the vision and commercial determination to be a leading player in this field. It is an exceptionally exciting opportunity. We have plans to expand the business in the UK and overseas through acquisition, strategic alliances, new product development and organic growth," said Richard.
A graduate of Reading University, Richard worked in the feed and feed ingredients business after leaving university until he opted for a spell in sports management several years ago. He has also recently completed the first ever windsurf round the 2000 miles of the British coastline - and wrote a book recording his experience.
Commenting on the appointment, David Yiend, Chief Executive of ABNA, said: "We are determined to be a major international player in this fast developing sector of the industry and by appointing Richard Cooper we have the right man to deliver on that ambition. As a company, ABNA is committing substantial resources to achieve rapid and sustainable growth in this area."
The appointment of Richard Cooper comes just six weeks after ABNA announced the acquisition of Vistavet (Ireland) Ltd, the County Cork based feed ingredients business as the first step in its strategy to develop a world class, value added feed ingredients business.
