SWITZERLAND – Rogier van Sligter, currently  Co-President EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) at Barry Callebaut,  has been appointed the sole president for the region by the board of the Swiss-based cacao processor and chocolate manufacturer.  

Sligter’s appointment which is effective October 1, 2021, follows Andrew Fleming’s decision to pursue new career opportunities outside the Barry Callebaut Group.  

Rogier van Sligter (a Dutch national) joined Barry Callebaut in 2004 as Account Manager and in 2008 was appointed Sales Director Benelux & Nordics. 

From 2012 to 2016, he served as Vice President Europe North before being promoted to Vice President EEMEA (Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa) where he led the continued expansion of the Group in EEMEA.  

In 2020  Sligter – who holds a Bachelors degree in International Management from Haarlem Business School – was appointed Co-President EMEA and a member of the Executive Committee.  

As the sole president of the region, Sligter will now oversee the integration of the Europe Chocolate Company (ECC), a Belgian privately-owned B2B manufacturer of chocolate specialties and decorations that Barry recently acquired.

“I congratulate Rogier on his appointment as President EMEA, in which role he will continue to apply his considerable experience and deep business insights to further implement the plan for the continued growth of our largest Region,” said Peter Boone, CEO Barry Callebaut Group.  

Earlier this month, Barry Callebaut made new executive appointments in its procurement and human resource departments, appointing Massimo Selmo as the new Chief Procurement Officer and Masha Vis-Mertens as the new head for the human resources department.  

Until her promotion, Selmo who has worked at Barry Callebaut for 25 years, was serving the chocolate maker as head of global sourcing. 

Vis-Mertens, on the other hand, served Barry as the vice president of operations and supply chain EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa).  

Vis Metens and Selmo will both join Barry Callebaut’s executive committee and will help recently appointed CEO Peter Boon in carrying out a smooth transition following the exit of former CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique.   

Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE