New chief executive for Milk Link

The Milk Link Governing Board has announced that Barry Nicholls is to stand down as Milk Link’s Chief Executive at the end of March. He will be succeeded by Neil Kennedy​, currently md of Milk Link’s consumer division.

Milk Link chairman Ronnie Bell said: “Barry was intending to step down as chief executive last year but was asked by the board to stay on to oversee the merger negotiations. Now that this process has been concluded, Barry feels it is the right time to move on. He leaves us financially strong and well positioned to continue our growth and development. Barry will continue to act as a consultant to us and will retain an interest in the dairy industry through his chairmanship of The Dairy Council.”

Nicholls said, “I’m tremendously proud to have been Milk Link’s chief executive during a period which has witnessed our development into a highly successful farmer-owned dairy products business. Of course, this transformation took place during one of the most difficult periods for the dairy industry and I would therefore like to pay tribute to the quality and commitment of the Milk Link’s governing board, council, staff and, above all, our tremendously loyal members.”