Nestlé names Richard Watson as the CEO of UK and Ireland, elevates Stefano Agostini to Head of Confectionery for Zone Europe
SWITZERLAND – Swiss food and beverage giant, Nestlé, has appointed Richard Watson as the CEO of Nestlé UK and Ireland unit and Stefano Agostini as the new Head of Confectionery for Nestlé’s Zone Europe, effective 1st March 2023.
Richard is the current Managing Director for Nestlé Confectionery in the UK & Ireland will succeed Stefano Agostini, who has also been given a new role. The appointment comes in his 27th year at Nestlé.
He has spent the past six years heading up Nestlé UK & Ireland’s Confectionery division, where he built a team that has driven growth, increased market share, and pioneered several significant innovations in the category.
Commenting on his appointment, Watson said: “I am honored and incredibly excited to be taking on such an important role at such an important time. The UK and Ireland mean a lot to Nestlé and it means a lot to me. I first joined Nestlé Purina in the UK in 1996 and have been lucky enough to build a career here over the last quarter of a century.”
“This is one of Nestlé’s biggest markets, and from experience, I know it’s a great place to do business, to innovate, to grow, and to work with very talented people. Equally, I know Nestlé continues to have a huge role to play in the UK and Ireland.”
He thanked Stefano for his leadership in the last six years and wished him well in his new role, adding that he is looking forward to getting started and leading this brilliant team into its exciting next phase.
Meanwhile, Agostini, who joined Nestlé in 1989 and became CEO of Nestlé UK and Ireland in 2017, has set ambitious targets for growth and led the business to a turnover of more than £3 billion during a period of substantial global change.
Agostini said: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to lead this great business in the UK and Ireland. I am proud of the many things that we have achieved as a team and the way we have risen to challenges and moved our business forward. ”
“Our food industry is a valuable asset to the UK and Ireland and I have been proud to work alongside other manufacturers, retailers, and farmers to help raise the voice of our sector and make it more resilient.”
He wished Richard all the very best as he steps into a role that he has truly enjoyed for the last six years.
Agostini will ascend into the Office amid a transformation of the company’s iconic candy product, Kitkat.
The confectionary giant Nestle is adding two new indulgent flavors to the mix – KitKat Smooth Hazelnut and KitKat Mint Cookies and Cream.
The hazelnut concoction sees KitKat’s iconic oven-baked wafer filled with delicious, fudge-like hazelnut praline coated in irresistibly smooth chocolate. The flavor is available in the KitKat block and the much-loved four-finger bar.
Furthermore, KitKat Mint Cookies and Cream have been broadened with a delicious combination of two fan-favorite flavors. Creamy mint and crunchy cookie pieces are encased within the wafer and surrounded by smooth milk chocolate.
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