Sales and marketing director of one of Europe’s largest fresh fruit and vegetable cooperatives to step down after more than 12 years with the business
Jo Lambrecht, sales and marketing director at Belgian fruit and vegetable cooperative BelOrta, is to leave the company, it has been announced.
According to a press statement, the group said Lambrecht would step down on Friday 26 September, and has opted to take his career in “a new direction” by starting his own project.
“We sincerely thank Jo for his many years of commitment, his strong dedication to the fresh fruit and vegetable sector, and his contribution to the growth of BelOrta,” commented CEO Philippe Appeltans.
“He would also like to express his gratitude to all colleagues, growers, customers, and partners for the valuable and often long-standing collaborations, as well as for the inspiring journey we have taken together. In close consultation with him, we have ensured a smooth handover.”
Appeltans added: ”“With mutual respect, we say goodbye to Jo as a colleague. We wish him every success and fulfilment in his new professional endeavour.”
During his time as commercial director, Lambrecht helped to steer one of Europe’s largest fresh produce cooperatives as it sought to balance continued market development and expansion with some considerable challenges linked to input costs and industry regulation.
In a recent episode of the Fruit Logistica Podcast, he spoke about the work BelOrta had done to maintain operational efficiency while remaining connected to local markets, streamlining production and logistics for its many growers and at the same time giving buyers the products and services they need.
In August, BelOrta and Dutch cooperative The Greenery unveiled an official agreement to cooperate more closely through FreshAlliance, a formal alliance of producer organisations that will see them collaborate more closely while retaining their corporate independence.
