USA – Mondelez International has announced that it has appointed Debra Crew and Peter May to its Board of Directors effective March 1, 2018 while Nelson Peltz, who has served the board since 2014 will be stepping down.

Debra was former President and CEO, Reynolds American and her departure from the company was announced effective at the end of the year 2017, a decision Journal Now reported was personal, as she looked to pursue career opportunities outside of BAT.

Before joining Reynolds American, she served as President and General Manager, PepsiCo North America Nutrition, President, PepsiCo Americas Beverages, and President, Western European Region of PepsiCo Europe.

She also had worked at Kraft Foods, Nestlé S.A., Mars, Inc. and PepsiCo.

On the other hand, Peter May was President and a Founding Partner of Trian Fund Management, L.P. (“Trian”) since 2005 and he currently serves as the non-executive Vice Chairman of the Wendy’s Company.

He also worked in other consumer and industrial businesses including Tiffany & Co. as a director, President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of Triarc Companies, Inc., Snapple Beverage Group, President and Chief Operating Officer and a director of Triangle Industries, Inc.

According to the company, Debra and Peter will bring strong operational and financial track records, which will benefit both their Board and the company.

“We welcome Debra and Peter to our Board and look forward to their contributions,” said Chairman Irene Rosenfeld.

“We also thank Nelson, who was a valued and constructive Director and made significant contributions to our Board and our business.”

Commenting on the matter Peltz said that he was pleased with the progress the company had made in the past years and Trian, the company’s major shareholder believes in the future success of Mondelez International.

Mondelez named Dirk Van de Put, former CEO of Canadian frozen foods maker McCain Foods to succeed Irene Rosenfeld as the company’s new CEO from November 2017.

With the new leadership for its board, the company said that it is well positioned to continue to create value for its shareholders.