MDC chief executive to head new Global Dairy Platform
UK - MDC’s chief executive Kevin Bellamy has announced his plans to leave the organisation in the new year to head a new worldwide initiative called Global Dairy Platform – a knowledge-sharing and advocacy base for the international dairy industry.
25 October 2006
2 minute read
Announcing his departure at the International Dairy Federation Summit, where the Global Dairy Platform was launched, Mr Bellamy said that worldwide co-ordination of dairy research and promotional practices will change consumer attitudes and create more positive markets in every country.
“Despite significant amounts of research saying milk and dairy are good for you, it still gets a bad press,” said Mr Bellamy.
“With such positive stories to tell, ranging from weight and blood pressure management to hydration and tooth and bone health, co-ordinating commercial and academic efforts internationally gives us a much better chance of communicating these benefits and overcoming negativity,” he said.
“There is already plenty of activity happening but in isolated campaigns. Providing a platform to support all activity across the world will give organisations like the MDC much better access to the information it needs to communicate as effectively as possible with consumers.”
Mr Bellamy has been with the MDC for 10 years, initially as Head of Research and Development but for the past five years as chief executive. During his time in that role the Datum market information service has been launched, the marketing and market development function introduced, the school milk project and its team of facilitators developed, the Extension service put in place and the genetic evaluation service overhauled.
Latterly, the two biggest advances have been the creation of Dairy Business Groups, in partnership with processors, though which farmers are starting to make significant efficiency savings, and the change in role of the 10 farmer-led regional committees, which now have a direct impact on Council decision-making.
Commenting on Mr Bellamy’s decision to head up this exciting new development for the international dairy industry, MDC chairman Brian Peacock said: “The Council is sorry to lose Kevin’s tremendous input to the work of the MDC, but recognises the importance of this new role to Britain’s – as well as the world’s – dairy farmers. We wish him well and offer our continued support to him in this new endeavour.”
The Global Dairy Platform is a membership-based organisation of leading global dairy companies, of which the founding members are Arla, Fonterra, Campina and Dairy Farmers of America.
Mr Bellamy will officially leave the MDC on 31 January 2007 to start his new role.
