Market Movers Q3 & Q4 2024
David Flochel leading Quorn’s next chapter
David Flochel, former Managing Director at Heineken UK, takes the helm as CEO of Quorn. Known for his expertise in scaling iconic brands, Flochel's leadership marks a transformative phase for Quorn as it accelerates its mission to become a global leader in sustainable, meat-free food innovation.
Jo Blundell crafting the future at Crosstown
Jo Blundell, formerly with Papa Johns, takes on the role of CEO at Crosstown. Known for her dynamic leadership and strategic expertise, Blundell is set to elevate Crosstown’s presence, focusing on innovation and growth in the premium food and beverage market.
Stephen Hann steering innovation at Genius Foods
Stephen Hann, previously CEO of One Good Thing, brings his expertise to Genius Foods as its new CEO. Renowned for his ability to foster growth in mission-led brands, Hann is set to enhance Genius Foods’ leadership in the gluten-free and allergen-friendly food sector, driving innovation and market expansion.
Rafa Oliveira charting the future of JDE Peet’s
Rafa Oliveira, formerly an executive at The Kraft Heinz Company, takes on the role of CEO at JDE Peet’s. With a strong background in driving global growth for leading consumer brands, Oliveira aims to strengthen JDE Peet’s position as a powerhouse in the coffee and tea industry.
Angela Willows driving financial strategy at Macphie Ltd
Angela Willows, formerly with Nestlé, steps into the role of Chief Financial Officer at Macphie Ltd. With extensive experience in financial leadership within global FMCG brands, Willows is set to enhance Macphie’s financial strategy and support its ambitious growth plans in the food manufacturing sector.
Dave McNulty brewing success at Typhoo Tea
Dave McNulty, formerly CEO of Burts Snacks, now leads Typhoo Tea as its CEO. Bringing extensive experience in scaling FMCG brands, McNulty is poised to revitalise Typhoo Tea’s legacy, focusing on innovation and growth in the competitive beverage market.
Nick Payne driving growth at Brains Brewery
Nick Payne, previously with Cygnet Gin, takes on the role of Managing Director at Brains Brewery. With a solid track record in expanding craft and premium brands, Payne is set to steer Brains Brewery towards new opportunities, blending tradition with innovation in the brewing industry.
Chris Bush cultivating growth at Westfalia Fruit Group
Chris Bush, formerly with Tesco, takes on the role of Group CEO at Westfalia Fruit Group. With a proven history of driving operational excellence and commercial success, Bush is poised to lead the global fresh produce leader into its next phase of innovation and expansion.
Paul Gillow leading transformation at SHS Group
Paul Gillow, formerly with Asda, steps into the role of Group CEO at SHS. With extensive leadership experience in retail and FMCG sectors, Gillow is set to drive SHS’s strategic growth, strengthening its portfolio of market-leading brands and partnerships.
Luke White leading Damm Brewing Group’s UK expansion
Luke White, formerly with Budweiser, steps into the role of UK Managing Director at Damm Brewing Group. With a wealth of experience in the beer industry, White is set to spearhead the brand’s growth in the UK, bringing fresh energy to its premium brewing legacy.
Jordi Ferre leading innovation at MycoTechnology
Jordi Ferre, formerly with HealthTech Bioactives, takes on the role of Chief Executive Officer at MycoTechnology. With a strong background in pioneering health-focused solutions, Ferre is poised to drive the company’s mission of transforming food systems through cutting-edge mycelium-based innovation.
Lisa Buckley elevating retail at BrewDog
Lisa Buckley, formerly with Leisure TV Rights, steps into the role of Chief Retail Officer at BrewDog. With extensive experience in retail strategy and consumer engagement, Buckley is set to expand BrewDog’s retail presence and enhance its customer experience across global markets.
Mike Hedges pioneering the future at GrowUp Farms
Mike Hedges, formerly with Little Moons, takes on the role of CEO at GrowUp Farms. Bringing a wealth of experience in scaling innovative brands, Hedges is set to drive GrowUp Farms’ mission of revolutionising sustainable agriculture and expanding its impact in the vertical farming industry.
Ian Stone shaping the future of Apetito UK
Ian Stone, previously Chief Commercial Officer of Apetito UK and Managing Director of Wiltshire Farm Foods, has been promoted to CEO (Designate) at Apetito UK. With his extensive experience within the company and the wider food industry, Stone is well-positioned to drive Apetito’s growth, innovation, and commitment to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals.
Karen McQuade leading The British Frozen Food Federation
Karen McQuade, formerly with The UK Foodhall, steps into the role of President at The British Frozen Food Federation. With a wealth of experience in the food sector, McQuade is set to strengthen the Federation’s influence, championing innovation and sustainability within the frozen food industry.
Miles Foster driving retail strategy at Poundstretcher
Miles Foster, formerly with Morrisons, joins Poundstretcher as a key leader. With deep expertise in retail management and growth, Foster is poised to strengthen Poundstretcher’s market presence, focusing on expanding its customer base and enhancing its value-driven offerings.
Roger White New CEO at C&C Group
C&C Group has appointed Roger White, former CEO of Irn Bru, as its new Chief Executive Officer. With a proven track record of leading iconic brands, White is set to steer C&C Group’s strategic direction, focusing on expanding its market presence and driving innovation across its portfolio of drinks brands.
Laurent Freixe CEO of Nestlé, leading global growth
Laurent Freixe has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous role as Executive Vice President and CEO of Nestlé’s Latin America Zone. Freixe’s leadership is set to drive Nestlé’s global strategy, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and expanding the company’s presence in emerging markets.
Overview
Emerging Trends in Leadership
Sustainability Focus: A noticeable trend in recent CEO appointments, such as David Flochel at Quorn and Mike Hedges at GrowUp Farms, highlights the increasing emphasis on sustainability and innovation. These leaders bring expertise in transforming traditional operations to meet the growing consumer demand for sustainable products.
Tech-Driven Growth: Leaders like Jordi Ferre at MycoTechnology signal a shift towards technology as a driver for future growth. Companies are actively seeking leaders who can integrate advanced technologies like mycelium-based solutions to revolutionize food systems.
The Role of Mission-Driven Leadership
CEOs such as Stephen Hann at Genius Foods exemplify the demand for leaders who can balance business growth with a strong mission, such as catering to gluten-free and allergen-friendly markets. This reflects the rising importance of consumer-centric and value-driven leadership.
Adaptation to Consumer Trends
Appointments like Lisa Buckley at BrewDog and Luke White at Damm Brewing Group demonstrate how companies are leveraging leaders with a deep understanding of evolving consumer behaviours. These leaders are likely to focus on enhancing customer experience and expanding retail and premium product portfolios.
Impact on Business Strategy
The appointment of Angela Willows at Macphie Ltd suggests a prioritisation of financial strategy and operational resilience, key components for companies navigating economic pressures in the food sector.
Similarly, Nick Payne at Brains Brewery showcases the increasing focus on blending tradition with innovation to attract a new generation of customers in competitive markets.
The Shift Toward Global Expertise
Leaders like Rafa Oliveira at JDE Peet’s and Laurent Freixe at Nestlé underline a trend toward global expertise. These appointments signal the need for leaders who can navigate complex international markets and drive growth through cross-border strategies.
Takeaway for Industry Stakeholders
As companies make these strategic appointments, the underlying message is clear: the industry is prioritising leaders who can innovate, adapt, and align with consumer values while driving sustainable growth. For HR directors, recruiters, and boards, identifying talent with a balance of technical expertise, mission alignment, and strategic vision will remain critical.