Elders Ltd appoints René Dedoncker as new CEO to lead next growth phase
Elders Limited (ASX: ELD) has announced the Elders Ltd new CEO appointment, naming René Dedoncker as Chief Executive Officer effective 1 October 2026. The appointment follows a comprehensive international and domestic search process and provides shareholders with eight months’ advance notice of the leadership transition.
Mr Dedoncker brings approximately 20 years of agribusiness experience from Fonterra Group, where he most recently served as CEO of Mainland Group. Prior to Fonterra, he held senior manager roles at Mars Corporation, building a career spanning complex consumer food businesses across multiple international markets.
Chair Glenn Davis expressed confidence in the appointment, stating the Board believes Mr Dedoncker possesses the strategic acumen and operational discipline required to lead Elders into its next phase of success. The announcement establishes leadership continuity well in advance, allowing for a structured transition period extending through to 4 February 2027.
What investors should know about CEO succession planning
CEO transitions represent material events for publicly listed companies. Poorly managed leadership changes can create uncertainty, disrupt strategic execution, and trigger talent retention issues that impact operational performance. Research consistently shows that abrupt or unplanned CEO departures correlate with increased share price volatility and reduced investor confidence.
Well-planned successions demonstrate the opposite characteristics. They feature extended lead times, overlap periods between outgoing and incoming executives, and transparent communication to stakeholders. These structured approaches reduce execution risk and signal governance quality to institutional investors who assess board effectiveness as part of investment decisions.
Elders’ approach follows best practice succession planning. The company has provided eight months notice before Mr Dedoncker’s commencement, followed by an additional four-month advisory period during which outgoing CEO Mark Allison will remain available to support transition activities. This extended timeline minimises operational disruption while ensuring institutional knowledge transfer.
Dedoncker’s track record and leadership experience
Mr Dedoncker’s career progression through Fonterra’s senior ranks positions him with direct experience in agricultural sector relationships and farmer partnership models. His tenure at Fonterra spanned multiple business cycles and strategic transformations, culminating in his leadership of Mainland Group through a major ownership transition.
According to the appointment announcement, Mr Dedoncker successfully maintained business momentum and employee engagement during periods of significant strategic change and external scrutiny. His experience balancing short-term performance with long-term positioning, including portfolio focus and operating model clarity, aligns with Elders’ strategic requirements.
Key positions held during Mr Dedoncker’s career include:
- CEO, Mainland Group
- Managing Director, Fonterra Australia
- Managing Director Global Brands & Nutrition, Fonterra Cooperative Limited
- Director Global Foodservice, Fonterra Cooperative Limited
- General Manager International Sales & Operations, Mars Corporation
Mr Dedoncker holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Charles Sturt University. His educational background, combined with his operational experience, provides a foundation for understanding both commercial strategy and agricultural sector dynamics.
Glenn Davis, Chair
“René’s strong strategic acumen, operational discipline and genuine passion for agriculture make him an excellent choice to lead Elders into the future.”
Proven leadership in consumer food businesses with multi-market complexity translates directly to Elders’ diversified agribusiness model. The company operates across rural products, wholesale products, and agency services, requiring an executive capable of managing operational performance across multiple business segments simultaneously.
Remuneration structure aligns with shareholder interests
Mr Dedoncker’s compensation package emphasises performance-linked components, with the majority of total remuneration tied to achievement of short-term and long-term performance hurdles. The structure includes a $1,150,000 total fixed remuneration base, with at-risk components potentially delivering significantly higher total compensation if performance targets are met.
| Component | Value/Opportunity | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fixed Remuneration | $1,150,000 p.a. | Base salary plus superannuation |
| Short-Term Incentive (target) | $862,500 (75% of TFR) | Performance criteria under STI plan |
| Short-Term Incentive (stretch) | $1,150,000 (100% of TFR) | Maximum stretch performance |
| Long-Term Incentive | ~$1,265,000 grant value (110% of TFR) | Subject to performance hurdles |
| Transition Allowance | $30,000 | One-off relocation support |
The structure creates alignment between executive incentives and shareholder returns. At maximum performance, total remuneration could reach approximately $3.565 million annually, but this requires achievement of stretch targets across both short-term and long-term metrics. The $30,000 transition allowance represents a one-off payment to support Mr Dedoncker’s relocation to Adelaide.
Standard executive employment conditions apply, including a post-employment restraint featuring up to a 12-month non-compete and non-solicitation covenant. The employment agreement has no fixed term and requires 12 months’ notice of termination after 24 months of service.
Mark Allison’s legacy and transition timeline
Mark Allison has served as Managing Director and CEO of Elders for more than a decade, steering the company through significant industry cycles and strategic transformations. His tenure included oversight of strategic plans that returned the company to a pureplay agribusiness focus and the resumption of dividends in 2017 after an 8-year hiatus.
The dividend resumption represented a material milestone for shareholders who had endured nearly a decade without distributions. Mr Allison’s leadership through this period positioned Elders for long-term success, according to Chair Glenn Davis, who acknowledged the outgoing CEO’s exceptional contribution to the company.
Mr Allison’s transition timeline provides structured support for the incoming CEO while honouring contractual entitlements. His notice period commenced 5 February 2026 and will formally conclude 4 February 2027, representing a full 12-month notice period. However, the transition is structured in two distinct phases.
During the first phase, Mr Allison continues as CEO until 1 October 2026, maintaining full executive authority and operational responsibility. This ensures business continuity during the search and onboarding period. During the second phase, from 1 October 2026 to 4 February 2027, Mr Allison remains available in an advisory capacity to support transition activities and ensure continuity.
Mr Allison will continue to receive his normal fixed remuneration throughout the transition period and remains eligible for pro-rata Short-Term Incentive payments and Long-Term Incentive vesting in line with existing plan terms. All contractual entitlements, including accrued leave, will be honoured in full upon his cessation of employment.
Mark Allison, outgoing CEO
“It has been a great privilege to serve as Managing Director and CEO of Elders – I’m incredibly proud of what our team has achieved, and I remain committed to supporting a smooth transition.”
The structured handover period minimises operational disruption while ensuring institutional knowledge transfer. This approach protects shareholder value during a critical leadership transition by maintaining experienced executive oversight throughout the process.
What’s next for Elders shareholders
The forward timeline provides shareholders with visibility on leadership transition milestones through to full completion in early 2027. The structured approach allows investors to monitor progress and assess execution during each phase.
- February 2026: Appointment announced, transition planning begins
- 1 October 2026: Dedoncker commences as CEO
- October 2026 – February 2027: Allison available in advisory capacity
- 4 February 2027: Formal conclusion of transition period
Chair Glenn Davis reinforced confidence in the appointment process and Mr Dedoncker’s capability to drive operational excellence and strategic growth. The incoming CEO has stated his commitment to building on Elders’ foundations while driving the next stage of growth, signalling continuity in strategic direction alongside fresh leadership perspective.
René Dedoncker, incoming CEO
“I am truly honoured that the Elders Board has placed its trust in me… Together, we will build on Elders’ strong foundations and drive its next stage of growth.”
The clear timeline and structured approach provide shareholders with confidence that the transition is being managed in accordance with governance best practice. The extended overlap period and Mr Dedoncker’s demonstrated leadership experience in complex agribusiness environments position Elders (ASX: ELD) to maintain operational momentum throughout the CEO succession process.
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