Arla Foods has appointed a new managing director, after news of Ash Amirahmadi’s departure from the position last week.

Bas Padberg, who is currently vice-president of Arla Foods Southeast Asia, has been appointed managing director at Arla Foods. He will take over from executive vice-president of Europe Peter Giørtz-Carlsen on 1st January 2024.

Padberg joined Arla in 2014 from Royal Friesland Campina to become managing director of Arla’s business in the Netherlands, Belgium and France, which he turned into the fastest growing branded market in Arla Europe.

Following the announcement, Giørtz-Carlsen said: “I am delighted that Bas has accepted the opportunity to lead our skilled and engaged UK organisation, because he is a highly-trusted leader in Arla with a long track-record of building and sustaining a strong people-focused culture. He is very experienced in creating value between our farmers and our strategic customers from his time in charge of our Dutch, Belgian and French business.

“I want to congratulate Bas on his appointment and am looking forward to working with him on delivering the exciting long-term strategy for our UK business.”