WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S. — Bunge Limited announced on April 4 a transition of leadership at Bunge Europe, Middle East and Africa (Bunge EMEA).

Jean-Louis Gourbin, chief executive officer (CEO), Bunge EMEA, will retire effective May 1. Tommy Jensen, currently chief operating officer, Bunge EMEA, will succeed Gourbin as CEO and report directly to Alberto Weisser, chairman and CEO, Bunge Limited.

"Jean-Louis has made many important contributions to Bunge and has been a valued member of our senior management team for the past eight years," Weisser said. "His leadership has been instrumental in building our business in Europe and the Middle East and, most recently, expanding our presence in Africa. We thank him for his commitment and his service to Bunge.

"Tommy is a skilled leader with a track record of delivering strong results and business growth. During his nine-year career at Bunge, he has managed a highly successful business in Northern and Central Europe and led our expansion in the region through the acquisitions of Walter Rau and Raisio and the consolidation of our operations in Poland. His deep industry experience and proven leadership will serve Bunge well in his new role."

Gourbin joined Bunge in 2004 as CEO, Bunge Europe, from the Danone Group, where he served as president of the company's biscuits and cereal products division. Previously, he worked for more than 15 years with the Kellogg Company, eventually becoming president of Kellogg Europe. He also held positions at Ralston Purina and CPC.

Jensen joined Bunge in 2003 as managing director, Poland, and became vice-president, Northern and Central Europe, in 2005. In 2011, he was named Bunge EMEA's chief operating officer. Previously, he held leadership positions at Animex S.A. in Poland, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Continental Grain in Poland and Germany, and Jyske Bank A/S in Denmark. He has a bachelor's degree in finance from Aarhus School of Business at Aarhus University, Denmark, and has completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.