Global dairy company Arla Foods Ingredients has announced UK executive vice-president Peter Lauritzen will step down after seven years in the role.

Effective from 1 August 2014, he will be replaced by Peter Giørtz-Carlsen, current head of Arla Denmark.

Lauritzen will continue to work for the global business, reporting to Arla’s chief executive Peder Tuborgh, before retiring in 2015.

Lauritzen said: “After 44 years of working for Arla, now feels like the right time to plan my future retirement.  Working within the UK business has been one of the highlights of my career, having overseen the merger with Milk Link and integration of 2,800 British farmer owners into our European co-operative as well as the delivery of the world’s largest fresh milk facility in Aylesbury and other significant investments.”

Tuborgh added: “Peter Lauritzen has had a phenomenal career with Arla and has been influential in the growth and development that we have experienced in recent years. He has played an important role in developing our European co-operative into the sixth-largest dairy company in the world. His experience and energy will be missed and I wish to thank him for all that he has given to Arla.”