Ellen Mackenbach-Lakeman appointed new CEO of Dümmen Orange

Ellen Mackenbach-Lakeman has been appointed CEO of Dümmen Orange effective May 1, 2025.

She will succeed interim CEO Anthony Christiaanse, who led the company through a period of transition over the past year.

Mackenbach-Lakeman has been a member of Dümmen Orange's Executive Committee since 2020 as chief human resources officer, where she was responsible for developing the company culture, rolling out the sustainability agenda and leading the global human resources department.

Prior to joining Dümmen Orange, she held several management positions in the chemical and distribution industries with a focus on international collaboration.

"It’s the right time for the organization to take this next step," Mackenbach-Lakeman said in a statement. "Last year, we refined our strategy, and now we are moving forward with full momentum based on that foundation. We are focusing on the product segments and distribution channels where we are strong and have a solid position, enabling us to support our customers with high-quality, innovative products that help them succeed.

"At the same time, we will continue optimizing our operations and reducing costs, ensuring that we deliver the best possible value to our customers at the right price. Innovation remains at the core of our business. With our modern Breeding Technology Centre and the expertise of our people, we have everything in place to remain at the forefront of developing top-tier genetics.

"I look forward to continuing my involvement with this wonderful company in my new role as CEO and working together with the team to leverage our knowledge, experience and innovations for the benefit of both our customers and the ornamental horticulture sector as a whole," she said.

In May 2024, the Netherlands-based global breeder and propagator of flowers and plants, which employs 5,300 people globally, appointed Christiaanse as its new CEO and successor of Hugo Noordhoek Hegt, who had led the company since 2019.

In tandem with that announcement, Dümmen Orange also revealed new ownership, which includes a consortium of current lenders: ICG, J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Neuberger Berman, Tresidor and Triton Debt Opportunities. Funds advised by BC Partners, the majority shareholder since 2015, are a minority investor. As part of the deal, according to a released statement, the new owners are providing additional financing “to deliver a de-levered and sustainable balance sheet.”

Earlier in 2024, Dümmen also announced several changes, including selling its global orchids business; discontinuing its exclusive licensing agreement for North America with HilverdaFlorist for potted dianthus; discontinuing its licensing agreement with Westhoff for the production of unrooted cuttings of Westhoff breeding products; and the sale of its anthurium production in the Netherlands.

"I look back with great pleasure on a productive period at Dümmen Orange," Christiaanse said in a statement. "This is a fantastic company with incredible people and a loyal customer base that has trusted us for many years. Over the past year, we have made the right strides, and I am confident that Ellen and the team will lead the company towards a successful future with this direction."

"Anthony has expertly guided Dümmen Orange through an important transition," Henk Pieter van Asselt, chair of the supervisory board for Dümmen Orange, said in a statement. "With the arrival of our new owners last year, he brought focus to our strategy and took essential steps in its execution. At the same time, we have made substantial progress in further enhancing quality, risk management and customer satisfaction. The foundation has been laid. We are focused and doing the right things in the right way. Ellen has already made a significant contribution to this as a member of the executive committee and will continue this trajectory. I wish her much success."