Nestlé appoints Guillaume Le Cunff as CEO Zone Europe 

SWITZERLAND – Nestlé, a global leader in the food and beverage industry, has announced the appointment of Guillaume Le Cunff as CEO Zone Europe, effective July 1, 2024.  

This decision comes as part of a leadership transition, with Marco Settembri, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Zone Europe, set to retire after a distinguished career spanning over 36 years at Nestlé. 

Guillaume Le Cunff, currently CEO of Nespresso, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Having joined Nestlé in 1998, he has held various leadership positions, including President of Nespresso USA and global CEO of Nespresso.  

Under his leadership, Nespresso experienced significant growth and innovation, including the successful launch of Vertuo and pioneering sustainability initiatives such as the Reviving Origins program. 

Mark Schneider, CEO of Nestlé, expressed confidence in Le Cunff’s ability to lead Zone Europe to new heights, stating, “Guillaume is an inspiring and seasoned business leader with extensive experience in brand building, innovation, e-commerce, and sustainability. He is the ideal leader to take Zone Europe to the next level.” 

Meanwhile, Marco Settembri will retire from his position as CEO Zone Europe after a remarkable career at Nestlé.  

Having joined the company in 1987, Settembri held various management roles, including leading Nestlé’s Purina PetCare business in Europe. He played a pivotal role in driving growth and profitability within the company’s European operations. 

Mark Schneider expressed gratitude for Settembri’s contributions to Nestlé, stating, “On behalf of our Board of Directors and our Executive Board, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Marco for his many years of outstanding service to Nestlé.” 

The leadership transition comes amidst allegations against Nestlé regarding the composition of its infant food products in low and middle-income countries.  

A recent investigation reveals that Nestlé’ added sugars in its baby food products in regions like Nigeria, contrary to the company’s assertions. 

In response, Nestlé reiterates its commitment to stringent regulatory standards and nutritional guidelines.  

The company emphasizes compliance with labeling requirements and carbohydrate content thresholds, reaffirming that sugars are not added to infant formulas for children aged 0-12 months in Nigeria. 

“Slight variations in recipes across countries depend on several factors, including regulations and availability of local ingredients, which can result in offerings with lower or no-added sugars. This does not compromise the nutritional value of our products for infants and young children. Our range of cereals in Europe comes with and without added sugars,” said Nestle. 

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