Page 68 - Food&Drink Nov-Dec 2020

YEAR IN REVIEW
On the move
There was plenty of movement in the ranks this year, with new leaders taking the helm at leading food and beverage companies. Here are the highlights.
GREG BARNES
COCA-COLA AMATIL CFO
Greg Barnes was appointed Coca-Cola Amatil group chief financial officer on 1 June. Barnes joined from Nine Entertainment, where he was part of the team that led its Fairfax acquisition, creating a $3 billion entity. Prior to Nine, he was CFO at CSR Limited.
Group MD Alison Watkins said: “Greg joins us at a time when we are drawing on our strong financial foundations and our resilience through the COVID-19 pandemic period.”
DR ROB MCCARTNEY
WOOLWORTHS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
In a first for an Australian retailer, Woolworths Group has named a chief medical officer to help the company respond to COVID-19.
Dr Rob McCartney has taken up the specialised and technical leadership role and will provide direct input into the Woolworths board. relevant sub-committees and executive committee, regulatory authorities, and state and federal health departments.
“This appointment ensures we have an internal expert, with a grounding in medical advice, to help make well informed long-term decisions on the
safety and wellbeing of our teams and customers,” said Woolworths Group’s Brian Long.
McCartney has more than 20 years’ experience in occupational medicine.
GEORGE ZOGHBI
ARNOTT’S CEO
Arnott’s announced its new CEO, George Zoghbi, in February. He replaced the interim CEO Brian Driscoll, who is also the board chair and KKR senior adviser.
Zoghbi said: “I look forward to working closely with the team to continue the Arnott’s tradition, as well as introducing new, innovative products and avenues for growth.”
Zoghbi returned from the US where he was a board director and special adviser at Kraft Heinz. He was its COO from 2015-17. He joinedKraftinAustraliain2007, running its ANZ operations. From 2009 he was president, Cheese & Dairy in the US.
DAVID BORTOLUSSI
THE A2 MILK COMPANY CEO
David Bortolussi was announced as the new CEO for The a2 Milk Company. He will start in early 2021.
Bortolussi has been HanesBrands group president
International Innerwear since 2016, when the company acquired Pacific Brands. Bortolussi had been with Pacific Brands since 2009 as chief financial and operating officer before becoming CEO in 2014.
“The team at a2 has created a very distinctive consumer proposition, amazing brand and strong culture with so much potential. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to lead such a talented and experienced team, and to be part of the next phase of growth,” Bortolussi said.
DARREN FULLERTON
FRUCOR SUNTORY ANZ CEO
Darren Fullerton took on the role as CEO (ANZ) for Frucor Suntory in April.
Fullerton has worked in the food and beverage industry for 18 years, culminating with almost three years as CEO at PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand until October 2015.
Most recently he led Winc, a $1 billion-plus market leader in office products and business solutions across Australasia. Fullerton became CEO of Staples Australia in January 2016, which was acquired by Platinum Equity and rebranded Winc. He resigned in October 2019.
Fullerton said: “Strong brands, a vibrant culture, and a thirst for success are hallmarks of most successful businesses
– and I look forward to building on these inherent strengths at Frucor Suntory.”
NICKY SPARSHOTT
UNILEVER ANZ CEO
Global CEO of Unilever’s specialty tea brand T2 Nicole (Nicky) Sparshott has been appointed CEO of Unilever Australia and New Zealand after Clive Stiff announced his retirement in February.
Sparshott started the role in April and reports to global COO Nitin Paranjpe. She
will retain leadership of the T2 business.
Sparshott joined Unilever ANZ in 2006 as marketing director for Foods, Ice Cream and Beverages.
She moved to Singapore where she worked in various leadership roles in its Refreshment business across Asia. She was appointed CEO T2 following Unilever’s acquisition of the company in 2016.
Sparshott serves on the boards of WWF-Australia and Global Sisters.
WERN-YUEN TAN
PEPSICO APAC CEO
In June, PepsiCo appointed Wern-Yuen Tan as its CEO Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and China. Tan was previously CEO and president of Walmart China.
Based in Singapore, Tan reports to CEO Ramon
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