Carlsberg, Nestlé and Starbucks are among the companies welcoming new faces to top jobs this month.
Carlsberg, Nestlé and Starbucks are among the companies welcoming new faces to top jobs this month.
Carlsberg welcomed its new CEO, Jacob Aarup-Andersen, earlier this month.
Aarup-Andersen replaces Cees 't Hart, who is retiring after eight years at Carlsberg.
Jacob Aarup-Andersen, who is Danish, joins Carlsberg from ISS A/S, where he has served as CEO since 2020. ISS is a global leader in facility management with 360,000 employees operating in 60 countries globally. At ISS, Jacob has led a financial turnaround and the development of a strategy with a core focus on technology and digitisation, sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion. During his tenure at ISS, the company has regained its growth momentum, with 2022 results above expectations.
Prior to ISS, Jacob had senior leadership roles at Danske Bank and Danica Pension. Before that, Jacob worked as an investment professional in firms such as Danske Capital, TPX-Axon Capital, Montrica Investment Management and Goldman Sachs.
Starbucks Coffee Company has announced the promotion of Molly Liu to executive vice president and co-chief executive officer of Starbucks China, effective October 2, 2023.
Liu has served as Starbucks China’s chief operating officer since 2021, and previously served as the company’s vice president of Digital Ventures.
Since joining the company in 2012, Liu has held numerous leadership roles. As head of the Digital Ventures organization, she set the foundation for the company’s digital flywheel in the market, most notably with the launch of “Starbucks Delivers” and “Starbucks Now” digital ordering services, which grew to contribute 48% of China sales in Q3 FY23. In addition, she established the company’s Starbucks Rewards program and turned it into a leading loyalty program with more than 20 million active members. Recently as COO, she oversaw the company’s accelerated expansion to more store locations, while invigorating coffee beverage innovation with the successful launch of new platforms.
Belinda Wong will continue to serve as chairwoman and CEO of Starbucks China, as the company aims to operate 9,000 stores across 300 cities by 2025 that will create more than 10,000 additional jobs annually.
“A 24-year partner, Wong’s strategic vision, entrepreneurial drive, and deep love for the company and its people has resulted in the company’s unprecedented growth since leading the market in 2011,” says Starbucks.
The Board of Directors of Nestlé has decided to promote David Rennie, Head of Nestlé Coffee Brands and a member of the Executive Board of Nestlé S.A., to Executive Vice President effective January 1, 2024.
“The elevation of the role reflects the growing strategic importance of coffee as one of Nestlé's growth pillars,” says the Swiss food, coffee and health science giant. “David Rennie has further strengthened Nestlé's leadership position in coffee, driving profitable growth, strategic partnerships and market share.”
Rennie joined Nestlé in 2005 as Marketing Director of UK & Ireland Confectionery (coming from P&G where he worked from 1989 to 2005).
Rennie became Head of Beverage Strategic Business Unit in 2018. In January 2020 he was nominated Deputy Executive Vice President, Head of Nestlé Coffee Brands and he became a member of the Nestlé S.A. Executive Board in March 2021. He also serves as Chairman of Nespresso S.A.
After nine years as CEO of Nestlé Health Science, Greg Behar will leave Nestlé as of December 31, 2023, to pursue new professional interests outside the company. Behar helped establish Nestlé Health Science as a leader in nutritional health solutions, growing the company's portfolio to capture attractive long-term trends and expanding into new geographic regions.
Anna Mohl, currently Head of International Business at Nestlé Health Science, will become CEO of Nestlé Health Science and as Executive Vice President and member of the Executive Board of Nestlé S.A., effective January 1, 2024.
US alcohol distributor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has announced the retirement of John Klein, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Pacific Northwest, effective at the end of 2023.
Klein has spent 35 years in the beverage alcohol industry, beginning his career in a sales role at Pepsi-Cola in New York before working in various sales and management positions at Heublein, now Diageo, from 1988 to 1994. Prior to beginning his career at Southern Wine & Spirits in November 2010, Klein served as President of Young’s Market Company. Here, Klein spent 15 years in various executive management positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately serving as the President.
During that period, Klein spent a considerable amount of time in the Pacific Northwest responsible for integrating joint ventures and acquiring wholesaler and brokerage operations, expanding the company from three to 10 states.
In addition to this current role at Southern Glazer’s, Klein serves as President and board member for the Association of Wine & Spirits Distributors, Washington and is a member of the Oregon Beer & Wine Distributors Association.
“John is leaving behind an impactful 13-year legacy at Southern Glazer’s,” said John Wittig, Chief Commercial Officer, Southern Glazer’s.
“His extensive expertise and exceptional interpersonal abilities have played a pivotal role in establishing the Company’s success in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We’ll miss his presence on this team and will forever hold gratitude for the indelible mark he made in building out our Southern Glazer’s footprint in the Pacific Northwest.
“An announcement for John Klein’s replacement will be forthcoming. Klein will remain on the team to ensure a seamless transition and support the leader who will be succeeding him.”
Naturally sparkling water kefir Agua de Madre has appointed Leon Pullin as Managing Director.
Pullin previously worked as Head of Sales at Cambridge Distillery. Eying up the growth in the low/no drinks category, as well as parallel growth in health drinks, Pullin joins the London-based fermented drinks brand.
Pullin said: “My aim is to establish Agua De Madre's water kefir as a household staple, a fridge essential for every family seeking the powerful health benefits it offers, whilst being widely known for our balanced purpose supporting Madre's worldwide through equality acts and donations.
“Agua de Madre is a delicious, naturally sparkling water kefir packed with billions of live cultures. Agua de Madre offers benefits beyond other fermented drinks and yoghurts as it is naturally dairy and caffeine free.”
Agua de Madre is available in five flavors: Lemon & Ginger, Pomegranate & Hibiscus, Passion Fruit & Raspberry, Elderflower & Apple and Blood Orange Bitters in 33cl or 75cl bottles.
