The grocery industry is witnessing a series of notable executive changes that are affecting some of the most prominent companies.
Marco Bertacca has stepped down as the CEO of Quorn Foods after five years, following Marlow Foods’ £63 million loss and the lowest sales since 2017. Former Heineken UK Managing Director, David Flochel, is set to replace him. Flochel views 2025 as a ‘reset year’ and is eager to transform the business, promising a turnaround in performance.
Chris Bush, once Tesco UK’s CEO, has been appointed as the new group chief executive of Westfalia Fruit Group, succeeding Rian du Toit, who will return to his earlier role as CFO. This appointment follows his exoneration from a fraud case concerning Tesco’s £250 million accounting scandal. Bush expressed his enthusiasm for joining a company committed to innovation and sustainability.
JDE Peet’s has appointed Kraft Heinz executive Rafael Oliveira as its new CEO, who joins the company amidst a need for revival after a period of leadership instability. Chairman Peter Harf highlighted Oliveira’s strategic expertise and consumer sector experience as essential for JDE Peet’s growth.
Mohsin Issa has resigned from his role at Asda to focus on his position at EG Group. Replacing him, Lord Stuart Rose, alongside Rob Hattrell, now co-manages Asda’s operations. Recently, Lord Rose commented on Asda’s underwhelming performance and emphasised the need for an experienced retail executive to guide the company.
Nathalie Roos has exited her role as CEO of Lipton Teas & Infusions. She shared her departure decision on social media, expressing gratitude for the collective efforts at Lipton. Pierre Laubies will act as interim CEO until a suitable replacement is found.
Chapel Down CEO Andrew Carter announced his resignation following a slump in half-year profits by 22%. He will continue managing the business while a replacement is sought, before transitioning to his new role at Timothy Taylor in 2025. The company is considering a sale to expand its vineyard operations by 2026.
In August, Laurent Freixe was promoted as the new CEO of Nestlé, taking over from Mark Schneider who decided to step down after eight years. Freixe plans to streamline Nestlé’s operations in response to weaker sales, reinforcing the company’s focus on innovation and sustainability.
Nish Kankiwala will revert to a non-executive role within the John Lewis Partnership as the business transitions under new chairman Jason Tarry. Kankiwala’s shift indicates a strategic move within the company’s ongoing transformation.
These executive transitions reflect the dynamic nature of the grocery sector as companies strive for innovation and strategic leadership in a competitive market.
