Future talent and leading with purpose at ForFarmers

Recently, Executive MBA students (EMBA22) from Nyenrode Business University had the privilege of visiting ForFarmers, a leading feed solutions provider for both conventional and organic livestock farming, at their headquarters in Lochem, the Netherlands.

This company visit was part of the Advanced Human Resource Management course, designed and delivered by Prof. Dr. Lidewey van der Sluis. The visit gave participants a unique opportunity to explore how strategic HR, operational excellence, and sustainability come together in a dynamic, international agribusiness.

Managing talent

For many students, this was not just an academic excursion but a rare window into the realities of managing talent and driving transformation in a sector that plays a vital role in global food security. ForFarmers provided valuable insights through an open and inspiring program:

• Introduction & Corporate HR Strategy by Isolde Eleveld-Terwel, Group HR Director
• Factory Tour through the animal feed production process, guided by ForFarmers staff
• Organization Strategy presented by Rob Kiers, Chief Operating Officer
• Sustainability ambitions shared by Ilse Niehof, Corporate Affairs Director

Magnet for talent

Each part of the program offered a different lens on what makes ForFarmers a leading player in the feed industry. The day concluded with a group assignment for the Executive MBA cohort: “How can ForFarmers become a magnet for talent?” This challenge encouraged students to apply classroom theory to a real-world business issue, by exploring leadership development and futureproofing the organization. The discussion sparked creative ideas on how ForFarmers can position themselves as an employer of choice in a competitive labor market.