Food Business Africa

Natalie Sarich-Dayton becomes first female CEO of Australia’s oldest dairy company

Jun 21, 2021Jun 21, 2021 Editor

AUSTRALIA- Brownes Dairy, Australia’s oldest and most iconic dairy company, has promoted Natalie Sarich-Dayton to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Sarich-Dayton who untill her promotion was the company’s chief sales and marketing officer, becomes the company’s first female leader in its 135-year history. She succeeds Tony Girgis who had headed the company for 14 years. His time as CEO saw Brownes Dairy change ownership and bring back traditional cheddar cheese to West Australian supermarkets. Through his leadership, Browne’s vintage and mature cheddar range have now become generally available throughout WA and nationally in IGA…

Starbucks makes 3 executive appointments to support purpose-driven growth

Jun 18, 2021Jun 18, 2021 Editor

US – American multinational chain Starbucks has announced three new changes to its top leadership in an effort to fill vacant positions and to help the company achieve what it describes as “Purpose-driven growth”. In the new appointments, John Culver who previously served as Starbucks’ group president of international, channel development and global coffee, tea, and cocoa, has been promoted to the chief operating officer at Starbucks Corp. Culver succeeds Roz Brewer, who exited Starbucks in February to become chief executive of Walgreens Boots Alliance. In addition to being named…

AfDB taps expertise of Dr Beth Dunford to be Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development

Jun 16, 2021Jun 16, 2021 Editor

AFRICA – The African Development Bank Group (AfDB.org) has announced the appointment of Dr. Beth Dunford as Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development, effective 1st July 2021. Dr. Dunford, a national of the United States of America, brings extensive experience to this role having held senior level leadership positions in the US government. She is feted for having managed large and complex programs, working with the private sector, civil society, and multilateral and bilateral institutions, as well as with African governments, to deliver agricultural, social and human development impact…

Susan Jebb appointed chair of UK Food Standards Agency

Jun 15, 2021Jun 15, 2021 Editor

UK – Professor Susan Jebb, one of the UK’s leading scientists has been confirmed as the new chair of the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) following a public pre-appointment scrutiny hearing in line with parliamentary procedures. Jebb will take on the role from 1 July for three years, allowing Ruth Hussey – who has acted interim chair over the last few months following the departure of Heather Hancock – to return to her role as deputy chair. Susan, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and Honorary Fellow of…

Hindustan Unilever appoints veteran executive Srinandan Sundaram as head of Foods & Refreshment

Jun 14, 2021Jun 14, 2021 Editor

INDIA – Hindustan Unilever, one of the leading consumer goods company in India , has appointed Srinandan Sundaram as the new Executive Director, Foods and Refreshment. Sundaram whose appointment takes effect as from July 1, 2021 Sundaram replaces Sudhir Sitapati who is leaving the organization after 21 years. Sudhir joined Hindustan Unilever in 1999 as a management trainee, successfully managed roles across Sales and Marketing with the most recent one being Executive Director Foods and Refreshment. He is credited for the transformation of Tea into a purpose-led category that regained…

CCBA’s first Chairperson Phil Gutsche steps down, company appoints Bruno Pietracci

Jun 10, 2021Jun 10, 2021 Editor

SOUTH AFRICA – The Coca-Cola Beverages Africa has announced the appointment of Bruno Pietracci as the new Chairperson of the company board, taking over from Mr Phil Gutsche who recently stepped down. Mr Gutsche was CCBA’s first Chairperson following the merger of the Southern and East Africa bottling operations of The Coca-Cola Company (Coca-Cola Sabco), SABMiller plc and the Gutsche Family Investments – majority shareholders in Coca-Cola Sabco in 2016, forming the new bottler, CCBA. The company has paid tribute to Mr Phil Gutsche highlighting that, “Although Mr Gutsche will…

BASF Corp. appoints company veteran Michael Heinz as new chairman and CEO

Jun 7, 2021Jun 7, 2021 Editor

US – BASF Corp, the North American affiliate of German chemical giant BASF SE, has appointed Michael Heinz as the new chairman and chief executive officer. Michael who assumed the role on June 1 is a veteran of BASF having worked at the chemical giant for over 40 years. According to a statement from the company, Heinz has spent over a decade in leadership positions in the US. He has previously led BASF’s activities in Mexico and Ecuador and was in charge of the firm’s Crop Protection division. Heinz also…

Uganda Breweries Limited appoints three new Non-Executive Directors to its board

Jun 5, 2021Jun 5, 2021 Editor

UGANDA – Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), subsidiary of the East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has announced the appointment of Jane Karuku, the recently named Group Managing Director of EABL, as a Non – Executive Director, alongside Eric Kiniti and Rachel Dumba. Prior to becoming the head of the Group’s drinks business in the region, Jane was the Managing Director of Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), a sister company of UBL. She is a dynamic business leader, with strong management experience spanning over 20 years in FMCG and Non-Governmental Organizations. With an…

South Africa based canned food maker RFG names Pieter Hanekom as new CEO to succeed Bruce Henderson

Jun 3, 2021Jun 3, 2021 Editor

SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa’s leading producer of fresh, frozen and long-life convenience meal solutions, RFG Group has announced that the company’s long-serving CEO, Bruce Henderson, will be stepping down from the helm of the company in September this year. Henderson who has served as CEO of RFG for 22 years will be succeeded by Pieter Hanekom, the group’s current Deputy CEO. RFG Chairperson Dr Yvonne Muthien said Henderson led the group with distinction, overseeing the expansion from a single brand fruit business into a diversified, multi-brand food producer owning…

Tyson Foods promotes COO Donnie King to succeed Dean Banks as President and CEO

Jun 3, 2021Jun 3, 2021 Editor

US – Tyson Foods, the world’s second largest processor of beef, poultry and pork, has promoted its current chief operations officer Donnie King to the position of President and CEO. Donnie King will succeed Dean Banks who the meat processor said is stepping down from the company and board “for personal reasons”. Banks took the CEO job in October, just as Tyson was rebounding from the coronavirus outbreak that forced the company to shut several plants when workers got sick. Banks was formerly a project lead and on the leadership…