Fonterra has announced the appointment of a new independent director, Holly Kramer, who will join the Fonterra board on May 11, 2020.

Kramer is based in New South Wales and has extensive governance, multinational, and retail business experience.

She holds a number of significant governance positions, including being on the board of Woolworths, where she is an independent non-executive director, and Australia Post, where she is deputy chair and an independent non-executive director.

Her previous governance roles include being on the boards of Nine Entertainment Corporation, AMP , and Telstra Clear (NZ).

During her management career, Kramer held sales, marketing or senior leadership roles at the Ford Motor Company, Telstra Corporation and Pacific Brands. She was chief executive of major Australian retailer, Best & Less.

Fonterra chair John Monaghan said: “Holly’s experience in customer-centred leadership, transformation, e-commerce, technology, and multinational organisations will complement the existing collective skill set of our board.

“She has a strong record of creating shareholder value across a broad range of industries and shares our commitment to the highest standards of governance.”

Kramer fills the vacancy left by Simon Israel when he retired from the Fonterra board in November last year. Farmers will be asked to ratify her appointment as part of voting at this year’s annual meeting.

In accordance with the Fonterra Shareholders’ Market Rules, the Fonterra board has determined that Kramer will be an independent director.