Global Dairy Platform (GDP) would like to welcome Dr. Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of Amul (Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.), to the GDP Board of Directors. Amul, one of the largest dairy co-operatives in the world, was founded in 1946 and is new to the GDP Board.
The company, based in Anand, Gujarat, India, is made up of more than 3.6 million dairy producers who have their milk processed in 18 District Co-operative Milk Unions and marketed by Apex Marketing Federation – Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) Ltd. Between its 112 dairy plants across India, GCMMF processes about 3.2 million liters of milk every day, which makes it 8th largest global milk processor (about 11 MMT per annum).
Dr. Mehta, who has been Managing Director since 2023, previously worked as COO and in several other positions since he joined Amul in 1991.
“Amul has made significant contributions to the global dairy sector and has a commitment to sustainable and inclusive dairy development,” said GDP Board Chairman and Fonterra Co-operative Group CEO Miles Hurrell. “We are pleased to have Dr. Mehta representing Amul on our Board, which will further strengthen GDP’s global representation and strategic initiatives, particularly in fostering sustainable dairy practices across diverse markets.”
In other recent governance updates, GDP welcomes two new Board members and one new Operational Committee member:
- Lance FitzSimmons, President and Chief Executive Officer, Leprino Foods, joins the GDP Board in place of Mike Durkin, who retired from that same role at Leprino
- Gilles Froment, recently elected as President of the International Dairy Federation (IDF), is now on the GDP Board, taking over for former IDF President Piercristiano Brazzale
- Fabrice Salamanca, Vice President of Global Affairs at Danone, has joined the GDP Operational Committee, replacing Facundo Etchebehere, former Senior Vice President of Sustainability Strategy & Partnerships at Danone
Others serving on the GDP Board include Peder Tuborgh, Chief Executive Officer, Arla Foods; Dennis Rodenbaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dairy Farmers of America; Jan Derck van Karnebeek, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Friesland Campina; Yohichi Ohnuki, President and Representative Director, Morinaga Milk Industry; and Lino Saputo, Jr., Executive Chair of the Board, Saputo Inc.
Other GDP Operational Committee members are Hanne Søndergaard, Deputy Chair of the GDP Board and Chair of the GDP Operational Committee, Chief Agriculture and Sustainability Officer, Arla Foods; Michael Lichte, Chief Insights and Optimization Officer, Dairy Farmers of America; Komal Mistry-Mehta, Chief Innovation & Brand Officer, Fonterra Co-operative Group; Marchel Gorselink, Global R&D Director, Royal FrieslandCampina; Heather Anfang, President, Dairy Foods and EVP, Land O’Lakes; and Hideki Morita, Executive Officer, Meiji.
