Australian dairy company Bega Cheese has announced that Paul van Heerwaarden has decided to step down after nearly six years as CEO, with Pete Findlay set to succeed him.

Van Heerwaarden has worked for Bega Cheese for 13 years, holding several executive roles, and will vacate the position of chief executive “in the coming months”.

Meanwhile, Findlay joined the company in 2019 as chief financial officer, before becoming chief operating officer earlier this year. His focus will be on continuing “to execute the strategy and realise the opportunities available to the company as an integrated dairy and food business”.

Bega Cheese executive chairman, Barry Irvin, said: “Paul has been a wonderful CEO for Bega Cheese and has led the organisation through a period of great change and development, always giving his all to deal with challenges and execute opportunities. Paul remains committed to the company and, as always, is keen to ensure the best outcomes for the business and that the transition to a new CEO is well planned and continues the stable leadership which has always been a key element in the success of the company.”

He continued: “One of the features of Paul’s leadership has been his willingness to give opportunity to others and his capacity to develop people. Paul is always keen to recognise the capacity and capabilities of individuals and his team. Earlier this year, we announced that Pete Findlay had been appointed chief operating officer of the company, and the board is now pleased to announce that Pete will transition to CEO with Paul’s support in the coming months.”