Bulla Dairy Foods CEO, Allan Hood, has stepped down after 12 years of leadership within the company. James Downey, a fifth-generation member of one of Bulla’s three founding families, has taken up the role of acting CEO.
“This milestone marks the end of a remarkable chapter in my life,” said Hood.
“Leading Bulla has been an honour and a privilege. Working alongside such a dedicated and talented team within one of Australia's most esteemed family-owned dairy businesses has been immensely rewarding.
“As I step away from Bulla, I do so with confidence in Bulla's future and will always remain a proud supporter and lifelong customer,” he said.
Hood joined Bulla as CFO in 2013, and has been CEO since 2015. The company stated he led a period of sustained growth for Bulla, strengthening its presence across domestic and international markets, and guiding the business through significant industry change.
“We thank Allan for his dedication and contribution to Bulla and to the broader Australian dairy industry, and we wish him every success in his next chapter,” the company stated on LinkedIn.
“James brings more than 25 years of experience across the business, along with deep operational knowledge and a strong commitment to our people, partners and heritage. With integrity, care and craftsmanship at our core, we remain focused on building a sustainable, future-ready Bulla for generations to come.”
Over the past year, Hood helped lead the launch of Bulla's new Hearn Street ice cream factory in Colac, Victoria, a purpose-built manufacturing facility opened last month, that marks the company’s largest expansion in its 115 year history. The project included installation of sustainable heat electric heat pumps in lieu of gas boilers, two new food processing lines, cold storage, a custom refrigeration system, and cold chain loading docks. In-depth coverage of the new facility will appear in the Food & Drink Business Q1 edition.
