Jens Bigum to step down from Chr. Hansen's board of directors

Once the annual report and accounts for the world leading food ingredients company Chr. Hansen Holding A/S are formally approved in December, Jens Bigum has informed the board of his decision to step down from his position as chairman of the board of directors to focus on other responsibilities notably as Chairman of Arhus University.

Once the annual report and accounts for the world leading food ingredients company Chr. Hansen Holding A/S are formally approved in December, Jens Bigum has informed the board of his decision to step down from his position as chairman of the board of directors to focus on other responsibilities notably as Chairman of Arhus University.

Following the pending university reform, Arhus University will be one of six expanded universities in Denmark and will require an even greater work commitment on the part of Jens Bigum.

"The work involved in ensuring the successful implementation of the pending university reform means I have to prioritise Århus University more" explains Jens Bigum. "As the post of chairman of the board of directors of Chr. Hansen is the most recent major commitment I have taken upon myself, I have therefore agreed with the other board members in good time that I will resign my position."

Jens Bigum was appointed chairman of the board of Chr. Hansen in connection with the sale of the company last summer to the private equity firm PAI Partners.

"I certainly like Chr. Hansen and am very sorry to have to say goodbye, but at the same time I feel that the company is strong enough for me to leave the board in an orderly manner. We have had a good transitional phase, established a strong new management team and I enjoy a good relationship with PAI. Given that things are also going well for the company, the timing is right," says Jens Bigum.

Positive indications for the result for the year

"We are, of course, sorry to hear of Jens Bigum’s decision and would like to thank him for all his efforts. During the recent transitional period, it was vital to have at the helm someone so experienced and familiar with the industry. Given that everything is going well with Chr. Hansen, we will consider the need for an external chairman of the board," explains Frédéric Stévenin from PAI.

Preliminary indications for the current financial year (Sept. 05 – Aug. 06) point to a good performance for Chr Hansen , which expects to close the year with a sales growth of about 10% and growth in earnings of about 30%.